Canola hybrid 45S52

ABSTRACT

A novel canola variety designated 45S52 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred canola varieties. Methods for producing a canola plant that comprises crossing canola variety 45S52 with another canola plant. Methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 45S52 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the canola seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the canola variety 45S52, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of canola variety 45S52. This invention further relates to methods for producing canola varieties derived from canola variety 45S52.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/080,022filed Apr. 5, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of Brassica napus breeding (i.e., canolabreeding), specifically relating to the canola hybrid designated 45S52.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel rapeseed variety designated45S52 which is the result of years of careful breeding and selection.Since such variety is of high quality and possesses a relatively lowlevel of erucic acid in the vegetable oil component and a relatively lowlevel of glucosinolate content in the meal component, it can be termed“canola” in accordance with the terminology commonly used by plantscientists.

The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety or hybridvarious desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may includeresistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat and drought,reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomicquality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plantcharacteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growthrate, maturity, and plant and pod height, is important. The creation ofnew superior, agronomically sound, and stable high-yielding cultivars ofmany plant types including canola has posed an ongoing challenge toplant breeders. Therefore, there is a continuing need in the field ofagriculture for canola plants having desirable agronomic and industrialcharacteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a novel Brassicanapus hybrid designated 45S52. This invention thus relates to the seedsof the 45S52 hybrid, to plants of the 45S52 hybrid, and to methods forproducing a canola plant by crossing the 45S52 hybrid with itself oranother canola plant (whether by use of male sterility or openpollination), and to methods for producing a canola plant containing inits genetic material one or more transgenes, and to transgenic plantsproduced by that method. This invention also relates to canola seeds andplants produced by crossing the hybrid 45S52 with another line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of theplant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen fromone flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant or a genetically identical plant. A plant is sib-pollinated whenindividuals within the same family or line are used for pollination. Aplant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower on agenetically different plant from a different family or line. The term“cross-pollination” used herein does not include self-pollination orsib-pollination.

In the practical application of a chosen breeding program, the breederoften initially selects and crosses two or more parental lines, followedby repeated selfing and selection, thereby producing many unique geneticcombinations. The breeder can theoretically generate billions ofdifferent genetic combinations via crossing, selfing and mutagenesis.However, the breeder commonly has no direct control at the cellularlevel of the plant. Therefore, two breeders will never independentlydevelop the same variety having the same canola traits.

In each cycle of evaluation, the plant breeder selects the germplasm toadvance to the next generation. This germplasm is grown under chosengeographical, climatic and soil conditions, and further selections arethen made during and at the end of the growing season. Thecharacteristics of the varieties developed are incapable of predictionin advance. This unpredictability is because the selection occurs inunique environments, with no control at the DNA level (usingconventional breeding procedures), and with millions of differentpossible genetic combinations being generated. A breeder of ordinaryskill cannot predict in advance the final resulting varieties that areto be developed, except possibly in a very gross and general fashion.Even the same breeder is incapable of producing the same variety twiceby using the same original parents and the same selection techniques.This unpredictability commonly results in the expenditure of largeresearch monies and effort to develop a new and superior canola variety.

Canola breeding programs utilize techniques such as mass and recurrentselection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding and haploidy. For a generaldescription of rapeseed and Canola breeding, see, Downey and Rakow,(1987) “Rapeseed and Mustard” In: Principles of Cultivar Development,Fehr, (ed.), pp 437-486; New York; Macmillan and Co.; Thompson, (1983)“Breeding winter oilseed rape Brassica napus”; Advances in AppliedBiology 7:1-104; and Ward, et. al., (1985) Oilseed Rape, Farming PressLtd., Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Recurrent selection is used to improve populations of either self- orcross-pollinating Brassica. Through recurrent selection, a geneticallyvariable population of heterozygous individuals is created byintercrossing several different parents. The best plants are selectedbased on individual superiority, outstanding progeny, and/or excellentcombining ability. The selected plants are intercrossed to produce a newpopulation in which further cycles of selection are continued. Variousrecurrent selection techniques are used to improve quantitativelyinherited traits controlled by numerous genes.

Breeding programs use backcross breeding to transfer genes for a simplyinherited, highly heritable trait into another line that serves as therecurrent parent. The source of the trait to be transferred is calledthe donor parent. After the initial cross, individual plants possessingthe desired trait of the donor parent are selected and are crossed(backcrossed) to the recurrent parent for several generations. Theresulting plant is expected to have the attributes of the recurrentparent and the desirable trait transferred from the donor parent. Thisapproach has been used for breeding disease resistant phenotypes of manyplant species, and has been used to transfer low erucic acid and lowglucosinolate content into lines and breeding populations of Brassica.

Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods are used todevelop varieties from breeding populations. Pedigree breeding startswith the crossing of two genotypes, each of which may have one or moredesirable characteristics that is lacking in the other or whichcomplements the other. If the two original parents do not provide all ofthe desired characteristics, other sources can be included in thebreeding population. In the pedigree method, superior plants are selfedand selected in successive generations. In the succeeding generationsthe heterozygous condition gives way to homogeneous lines as a result ofself-pollination and selection. Typically in the pedigree method ofbreeding, five or more generations of selfing and selection arepracticed: F₁ to F₂; F₂ to F₃; F₃ to F₄; F₄ to F₅, etc. For example, twoparents that are believed to possess favorable complementary traits arecrossed to produce an F₁. An F₂ population is produced by selfing one orseveral F₁'s or by intercrossing two F₁'s (i.e., sib mating). Selectionof the best individuals may begin in the F₂ population, and beginning inthe F₃ the best individuals in the best families are selected.Replicated testing of families can begin in the F₄ generation to improvethe effectiveness of selection for traits with low heritability. At anadvanced stage of inbreeding (i.e., F₆ and F₇), the best lines ormixtures of phenotypically similar lines commonly are tested forpotential release as new cultivars. Backcrossing may be used inconjunction with pedigree breeding; for example, a combination ofbackcrossing and pedigree breeding with recurrent selection has beenused to incorporate blackleg resistance into certain cultivars ofBrassica napus.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny. If desired, double-haploidmethods can also be used to extract homogeneous lines. A cross betweentwo different homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybridplants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of twoplants each heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce apopulation of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will not beuniform.

The choice of breeding or selection methods depends on the mode of plantreproduction, the heritability of the trait(s) being improved, and thetype of cultivar used commercially, such as F₁ hybrid variety or openpollinated variety. A true breeding homozygous line can also be used asa parental line (inbred line) in a commercial hybrid. If the line isbeing developed as an inbred for use in a hybrid, an appropriatepollination control system should be incorporated in the line.Suitability of an inbred line in a hybrid combination will depend uponthe combining ability (general combining ability or specific combiningability) of the inbred.

Various breeding procedures are also utilized with these breeding andselection methods. The single-seed descent procedure in the strict senserefers to planting a segregating population, harvesting a sample of oneseed per plant, and using the one-seed sample to plant the nextgeneration. When the population has been advanced from the F₂ to thedesired level of inbreeding, the plants from which lines are derivedwill each trace to different F₂ individuals. The number of plants in apopulation declines each generation due to failure of some seeds togerminate or some plants to produce at least one seed. As a result, notall of the F₂ plants originally sampled in the population will berepresented by a progeny when generation advance is completed.

In a multiple-seed procedure, canola breeders commonly harvest one ormore pods from each plant in a population and thresh them together toform a bulk. Part of the bulk is used to plant the next generation andpart is put in reserve. The procedure has been referred to as modifiedsingle-seed descent or the pod-bulk technique. The multiple-seedprocedure has been used to save labor at harvest. It is considerablyfaster to thresh pods with a machine than to remove one seed from eachby hand for the single-seed procedure. The multiple-seed procedure alsomakes it possible to plant the same number of seeds of a population eachgeneration of inbreeding. Enough seeds are harvested to make up forthose plants that did not germinate or produce seed. If desired,doubled-haploid methods can be used to extract homogeneous lines.

Molecular markers, including techniques such as Isozyme Electrophoresis,Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms(AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNPs), may be used in plant breeding methods. One use ofmolecular markers is Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping. QTL mappingis the use of markers which are known to be closely linked to allelesthat have measurable effects on a quantitative trait. Selection in thebreeding process is based upon the accumulation of markers linked to thepositive effecting alleles and/or the elimination of the markers linkedto the negative effecting alleles in the plant's genome.

Molecular markers can also be used during the breeding process for theselection of qualitative traits. For example, markers closely linked toalleles or markers containing sequences within the actual alleles ofinterest can be used to select plants that contain the alleles ofinterest during a backcrossing breeding program. The markers can also beused to select for the genome of the recurrent parent and against themarkers of the donor parent. Using this procedure can minimize theamount of genome from the donor parent that remains in the selectedplants. It can also be used to reduce the number of crosses back to therecurrent parent needed in a backcrossing program. The use of molecularmarkers in the selection process is often called Genetic Marker EnhancedSelection or Marker Assisted Selection (MAS).

The production of doubled haploids can also be used for the developmentof inbreds in the breeding program. In Brassica napus, microsporeculture technique is used in producing haploid embryos. The haploidembryos are then regenerated on appropriate media as haploid plantlets,doubling chromosomes of which results in doubled haploid plants. Thiscan be advantageous because the process omits the generations of selfingneeded to obtain a homozygous plant from a heterozygous source.

A pollination control system and effective transfer of pollen from oneparent to the other offers improved plant breeding and an effectivemethod for producing hybrid canola seed and plants. For example, theogura cytoplasmic male sterility (cms) system, developed via protoplastfusion between radish (Raphanus sativus) and rapeseed (Brassica napus),is one of the most frequently used methods of hybrid production. Itprovides stable expression of the male sterility trait (Ogura, 1968,Pelletier, et al., 1983) and an effective nuclear restorer gene (Heyn,1976).

In developing improved new Brassica hybrid varieties, breeders may useself-incompatible (SI), cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) or nuclear malesterile (NMS) Brassica plants as the female parent. In using theseplants, breeders are attempting to improve the efficiency of seedproduction and the quality of the F₁ hybrids and to reduce the breedingcosts. When hybridization is conducted without using SI, CMS or NMSplants, it is more difficult to obtain and isolate the desired traits inthe progeny (F₁ generation) because the parents are capable ofundergoing both cross-pollination and self-pollination. If one of theparents is a SI, CMS or NMS plant that is incapable of producing pollen,only cross pollination will occur. By eliminating the pollen of oneparental variety in a cross, a plant breeder is assured of obtaininghybrid seed of uniform quality, provided that the parents are of uniformquality and the breeder conducts a single cross.

In one instance, production of F₁ hybrids includes crossing a CMSBrassica female parent with a pollen-producing male Brassica parent. Toreproduce effectively, however, the male parent of the F₁ hybrid musthave a fertility restorer gene (Rf gene). The presence of an Rf genemeans that the F₁ generation will not be completely or partiallysterile, so that either self-pollination or cross pollination may occur.Self pollination of the F₁ generation to produce several subsequentgenerations is important to ensure that a desired trait is heritable andstable and that a new variety has been isolated.

An example of a Brassica plant which is cytoplasmic male sterile andused for breeding is ogura (OGU) cytoplasmic male sterile(Pellan-Delourme, et al., 1987). A fertility restorer for oguracytoplasmic male sterile plants has been transferred from Raphanussativus (radish) to Brassica by Instit. National de Recherche Agricole(INRA) in Rennes, France (Pelletier, et al., 1987). The restorer gene,Rf1 originating from radish, is described in WO 92/05251 and inDelourme, et al., (1991). Improved versions of this restorer have beendeveloped. For example, see WO98/27806, oilseed brassica containing animproved fertility restorer gene for ogura cytoplasmic male sterility,which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Other sources and refinements of CMS sterility in canola include thePolima cytoplasmic male sterile plant, as well as those of U.S. Pat. No.5,789,566, DNA sequence imparting cytoplasmic male sterility,mitochondrial genome, nuclear genome, mitochondria and plant containingsaid sequence and process for the preparation of hybrids; U.S. Pat. No.5,973,233 Cytoplasmic male sterility system production canola hybrids;and WO97/02737 Cytoplasmic male sterility system producing canolahybrids; EP Patent Application Number 0 599042A Methods for introducinga fertility restorer gene and for producing F1 hybrids of Brassicaplants thereby; U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,072 Cytoplasmic male sterilitysystem production canola hybrids; U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,085 Hybridizationusing cytoplasmic male sterility, cytoplasmic herbicide tolerance, andherbicide tolerance from nuclear genes; all of which are incorporatedherein for this purpose.

Promising advanced breeding lines commonly are tested and compared toappropriate standards in environments representative of the commercialtarget area(s). The best lines are candidates for new commercial lines;and those still deficient in a few traits may be used as parents toproduce new populations for further selection.

For most traits the true genotypic value may be masked by otherconfounding plant traits or environmental factors. One method foridentifying a superior plant is to observe its performance relative toother experimental plants and to one or more widely grown standardvarieties. If a single observation is inconclusive, replicatedobservations provide a better estimate of the genetic worth.

Proper testing should detect any major faults and establish the level ofsuperiority or improvement over current varieties. In addition toshowing superior performance, there must be a demand for a new varietythat is compatible with industry standards or which creates a newmarket. The introduction of a new variety commonly will incur additionalcosts to the seed producer, the grower, the processor and the consumer,for special advertising and marketing, altered seed and commercialproduction practices, and new product utilization. The testing precedingrelease of a new variety should take into consideration research anddevelopment costs as well as technical superiority of the final variety.For seed-propagated varieties, it must be feasible to produce seedeasily and economically.

These processes, which lead to the final step of marketing anddistribution, usually take from approximately six to twelve years fromthe time the first cross is made. Therefore, the development of newvarieties such as that of the present invention is a time-consumingprocess that requires precise forward planning, efficient use ofresources, and a minimum of changes in direction.

Further, as a result of the advances in sterility systems, lines aredeveloped that can be used as an open pollinated variety (i.e., apureline cultivar sold to the grower for planting) and/or as a sterileinbred (female) used in the production of F₁ hybrid seed. In the lattercase, favorable combining ability with a restorer (male) would bedesirable. The resulting hybrid seed would then be sold to the growerfor planting.

The development of a canola hybrid in a canola plant breeding programinvolves three steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasmpools for initial breeding crosses; (2) the selfing of the selectedplants from the breeding crosses for several generations to produce aseries of inbred lines, which, although different from each other, breedtrue and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lineswith different inbred lines to produce the hybrids. During theinbreeding process in canola, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor isrestored when two different inbred lines are crossed to produce thehybrid. An important consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity ofthe inbred lines is that the hybrid between a defined pair of inbredswill always be the same. Once the inbreds that give a superior hybridhave been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely aslong as the homogeneity of the inbred parents is maintained.

Combining ability of a line, as well as the performance of the line perse, is a factor in the selection of improved canola lines that may beused as inbreds. Combining ability refers to a line's contribution as aparent when crossed with other lines to form hybrids. The hybrids formedfor the purpose of selecting superior lines are designated test crosses.One way of measuring combining ability is by using breeding values.Breeding values are based on the overall mean of a number of testcrosses. This mean is then adjusted to remove environmental effects andit is adjusted for known genetic relationships among the lines.

Hybrid seed production requires inactivation of pollen produced by thefemale parent. Incomplete inactivation of the pollen provides thepotential for self-pollination. This inadvertently self-pollinated seedmay be unintentionally harvested and packaged with hybrid seed.Similarly, because the male parent is grown next to the female parent inthe field, there is also the potential that the male selfed seed couldbe unintentionally harvested and packaged with the hybrid seed. Once theseed from the hybrid bag is planted, it is possible to identify andselect these self-pollinated plants. These self-pollinated plants willbe genetically equivalent to one of the inbred lines used to produce thehybrid. Though the possibility of inbreds being included in hybrid seedbags exists, the occurrence is rare because much care is taken to avoidsuch inclusions. These self-pollinated plants can be identified andselected by one skilled in the art, through either visual or molecularmethods.

Brassica napus canola plants, absent the use of sterility systems, arerecognized to commonly be self-fertile with approximately 70 to 90percent of the seed normally forming as the result of self-pollination.The percentage of cross pollination may be further enhanced whenpopulations of recognized insect pollinators at a given growing site aregreater. Thus open pollination is often used in commercial canolaproduction.

Currently Brassica napus canola is being recognized as an increasinglyimportant oilseed crop and a source of meal in many parts of the world.The oil as removed from the seeds commonly contains a lesserconcentration of endogenously formed saturated fatty acids than othervegetable oils and is well suited for use in the production of salad oilor other food products or in cooking or frying applications. The oilalso finds utility in industrial applications. Additionally, the mealcomponent of the seeds can be used as a nutritious protein concentratefor livestock.

Canola oil has the lowest level of saturated fatty acids of allvegetable oils. “Canola” refers to rapeseed (Brassica) which (1) has anerucic acid (C_(22:1)) content of at most 2 percent by weight based onthe total fatty acid content of a seed, preferably at most 0.5 percentby weight and most preferably essentially 0 percent by weight; and (2)produces, after crushing, an air-dried meal containing less than 30micromoles (μmol) glucosinolates per gram of defatted (oil-free) meal.These types of rapeseed are distinguished by their edibility incomparison to more traditional varieties of the species.

Sclerotinia infects over 100 species of plants, including numerouseconomically important crops such as Brassica species, sunflowers, drybeans, soybeans, field peas, lentils, lettuce, and potatoes (Boland andHall, 1994). Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is responsible for over 99% ofSclerotinia disease, while Sclerotinia minor produces less than 1% ofthe disease. Sclerotinia produces sclerotia, irregularly-shaped, darkoverwintering bodies, which can endure in soil for four to five years.The sclerotia can germinate carpogenically or myceliogenically,depending on the environmental conditions and crop canopies. The twotypes of germination cause two distinct types of diseases. Sclerotiathat germinate carpogenically produce apothecia and ascospores thatinfect above-ground tissues, resulting in stem blight, stalk rot, headrot, pod rot, white mold and blossom blight of plants. Sclerotia thatgerminate myceliogenically produce mycelia that infect root tissues,causing crown rot, root rot and basal stalk rot.

Sclerotinia causes Sclerotinia stem rot, also known as white mold, inBrassica, including canola. Canola is a type of Brassica having a lowlevel of glucosinolates and erucic acid in the seed. The sclerotiagerminate carpogenically in the summer, producing apothecia. Theapothecia release wind-borne ascospores that travel up to one kilometer.The disease is favoured by moist soil conditions (at least 10 days at ornear field capacity) and temperatures of 15-25° C., prior to and duringcanola flowering. The spores cannot infect leaves and stems directly;they must first land on flowers, fallen petals, and pollen on the stemsand leaves. Petal age affects the efficiency of infection, with olderpetals more likely to result in infection (Heran, et al., 1999). Thefungal spores use the flower parts as a food source as they germinateand infect the plant.

The severity of Sclerotinia in Brassica is variable, and is dependent onthe time of infection and climatic conditions (Heran, et al., 1999). Thedisease is favored by cool temperatures and prolonged periods ofprecipitation. Temperatures between 20 and 25° C. and relativehumidities of greater than 80% are required for optimal plant infection(Heran, et al., 1999). Losses ranging from 5 to 100% have been reportedfor individual fields (Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives,2004). On average, yield losses are estimated to be 0.4 to 0.5 times theSclerotinia Sclerotiorum Field Severity score, a rating based on bothpercentage infection and disease severity. More information is providedherein at Example 2. For example, if a field has 20% infection (20/100plants infected), then the yield loss would be about 10% provided plantsare dying prematurely due to the infection of the main stem (rating5-SSFS=20%). If the plants are affected much less (rating 1-SSFS=4%),yield loss is reduced accordingly. Further, Sclerotinia can cause heavylosses in wet swaths. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum caused economic losses tocanola growers in Minnesota and North Dakota of 17.3, 20.8, and 16.8million dollars in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively (Bradley, et al.2006). In Canada, this disease is extremely important in SouthernManitoba, parts of South Central Alberta and also in Eastern areas ofSaskatchewan. Since weather plays an important role in development ofthis disease, its occurrence is irregular and unpredictable. Certainreports estimate about 0.8 to 1.3 million acres of canola being sprayedwith fungicide in Southern Manitoba annually. The fungicide applicationcosts about $25 per acre, which represents a significant cost for canolaproducers. Moreover, producers may decide to apply fungicide based onthe weather forecast, while later changes in the weather patterndiscourage disease development, resulting in wasted product, time, andfuel. Creation of sclerotinia tolerant canola cultivars has been animportant goal for many of the Canadian canola breeding organizations.

No canola cultivar carrying an improved level of genetic resistance toSclerotinia has previously been released in Canada. 45S52 is the firstcanola hybrid cultivar having this improved level of sclerotiniatolerance. The sclerotinia tolerance in 45S52 comes from parentsdeveloped by conventional plant breeding techniques of crossing andselection. The parental lines were developed and screened in a fieldscreening nursery which was inoculated to ensure high and consistentSclerotinia disease pressure. See, for example, the methods described inPCT publication WO2006/135717.

Since canola variety 45S52 is a hybrid produced from substantiallyhomogeneous parents, it can be reproduced by planting seeds of suchparents, growing the resulting canola plants under controlledpollination conditions with adequate isolation so that cross-pollinationoccurs between the parents, and harvesting the resulting hybrid seedusing conventional agronomic practices.

The symptoms of Sclerotinia infection usually develop several weeksafter flowering begins. The plants develop pale-grey to white lesions,at or above the soil line and on upper branches and pods. The infectionsoften develop where the leaf and the stem join because the infectedpetals lodge there. Once plants are infected, the mold continues to growinto the stem and invade healthy tissue. Infected stems appear bleachedand tend to shred. Hard black fungal sclerotia develop within theinfected stems, branches, or pods. Plants infected at flowering producelittle or no seed. Plants with girdled stems wilt and ripen prematurely.Severely infected crops frequently lodge, shatter at swathing, and makeswathing more time consuming. Infections can occur in all above-groundplant parts, especially in dense or lodged stands, where plant-to-plantcontact facilitates the spread of infection. New sclerotia carry thedisease over to the next season.

Conventional methods for control of Sclerotinia diseases include (a)chemical control, (b) disease resistance and (c) cultural control, eachof which is described below.

(a) Fungicides such as benomyl, vinclozolin and iprodione remain themain method of control of Sclerotinia disease (Morall, et al., 1985; Tu,1983). Recently, additional fungicidal formulations have been developedfor use against Sclerotinia, including azoxystrobin, prothioconazole,and boscalid. (Johnson, 2005) However, use of fungicide is expensive andcan be harmful to the user and environment. Further, resistance to somefungicides has occurred due to repeated use.

(b) In certain cultivars of bean, safflower, sunflower and soybean, someprogress has been made in developing partial (incomplete) resistance.Partial resistance is often referred to as tolerance. However, successin developing partial resistance has been very limited, probably becausepartial physiological resistance is a multigene trait as demonstrated inbean (Fuller, et al., 1984). In addition to partial physiologicalresistance, some progress has been made to breed for morphologicaltraits to avoid Sclerotinia infection, such as upright growth habit,lodging resistance and narrow canopy. For example, bean plants withpartial physiological resistance and with an upright stature, narrowcanopy and indeterminate growth habit were best able to avoidSclerotinia (Saindon, et al., 1993). Early maturing cultivars ofsafflower showed good field resistance to Sclerotinia. Finally, insoybean, cultivar characteristics such as height, early maturity andgreat lodging resistance result in less disease, primarily because of areduction of favorable microclimate conditions for the disease. (Bolandand Hall, 1987; Buzzell, et al. 1993)

(c) Cultural practices, such as using pathogen-free or fungicide-treatedseed, increasing row spacing, decreasing seeding rate to reducesecondary spread of the disease, and burying sclerotia to preventcarpogenic germination, may reduce Sclerotinia disease but noteffectively control the disease.

All Canadian canola genotypes are susceptible to Sclerotinia stem rot(Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, 2004). This includesall known spring petalled genotypes of canola quality. There is also noresistance to Sclerotinia in Australian canola varieties.(Hind-Lanoiselet, et al. 2004). Some varieties with certainmorphological traits are better able to withstand Sclerotinia infection.For example, Polish varieties (Brassica rapa) have lighter canopies andseem to have much lower infection levels. In addition, petal-lessvarieties (apetalous varieties) avoid Sclerotinia infection to a greaterextent (Okuyama, et al., 1995; Fu, 1990). Other examples ofmorphological traits which confer a degree of reduced fieldsusceptibility in Brassica genotypes include increased standability,reduced petal retention, branching (less compact and/or higher), andearly leaf abscission. Jurke and Fernando, (2003) screened eleven canolagenotypes for Sclerotinia disease incidence. Significant variation indisease incidence was explained by plant morphology, and the differencein petal retention was identified as the most important factor. However,these morphological traits alone do not confer resistance toSclerotinia, and all canola products in Canada are consideredsusceptible to Sclerotinia.

Winter canola genotypes are also susceptible to Sclerotinia. In Germany,for example, no Sclerotinia-resistant varieties are available. (Specht,2005) The widely-grown German variety Express is considered susceptibleto moderately susceptible and belongs to the group of less susceptiblevarieties/hybrids.

Spraying with fungicide is the only means of controlling Sclerotinia incanola crops grown under disease-favorable conditions at flowering.Typical fungicides used for controlling Sclerotinia on Brassica includeRovral™/Proline™ from Bayer and Ronilan™/Lance™ from BASF. The activeingredient in Lance™ is Boscalid, and it is marketed as Endura™ in theUnited States. The fungicide should be applied before symptoms of stemrot are visible and usually at the 20-30% bloom stage of the crop. Ifinfection is already evident, there is no use in applying fungicide asit is too late to have an effect. Accordingly, growers must assess theirfields for disease risk to decide whether to apply a fungicide. This canbe done by using a government provided checklist or by using a petaltesting kit. Either method is cumbersome and prone to errors.(Hind-Lanoiselet, 2004; Johnson, 2005)

Numerous efforts have been made to develop Sclerotinia resistantBrassica plants. Built-in resistance would be more convenient,economical, and environmentally-friendly than controlling Sclerotinia byapplication of fungicides. Since the trait is polygenic it would bestable and not prone to loss of efficacy, as fungicides may be.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and tables which follow, a number of terms are used.In order to aid in a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification, the following definitions and evaluation criteria areprovided.

Anther Fertility. The ability of a plant to produce pollen 1=sterile,2=all anthers shedding pollen (vs. Pollen Formation which is amount ofpollen produced).

Anther Arrangement. The general disposition of the anthers in typicalfully opened flowers is observed.

Chlorophyll Content. The typical chlorophyll content of the mature seedsis determined by using methods recommended by the Western Canada

Canola/Rapeseed Recommending Committee (WCC/RRC) and is considered to below if <8 ppm, medium if 8 to 15 ppm, and high if >15 ppm. Also,chlorophyll could be analyzed using NIR (Near Infra Red spectroscopy) aslong as the instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer'sspecifications.

Cotyledon. A cotyledon is a part of the embryo within the seed of aplant; it is also referred to as a seed leaf. Upon germination, thecotyledon may become the embryonic first leaf of a seedling.

Cotyledon Length. The distance between the indentation at the top of thecotyledon and the point where the width of the petiole is approximately4 mm.

Cotyledon Width. The width at the widest point of the cotyledon when theplant is at the two- to three-leaf stage of development.

Disease Resistance: Resistance to various diseases is evaluated and isexpressed on a scale of 0=highly resistant, 5=highly susceptible. TheWCC/RRC blackleg classification is based on % severity index describedas follows:

-   -   0-30%=Resistant    -   30%-50%=Moderately Resistant    -   50%-70%=Moderately Susceptible    -   70%-90%=Susceptible    -   >90%=Highly susceptible.        The % severity index=blackleg rating on 0-5 for a        variety/blackleg rating for HS variety Westar.        Sclerotinia scoring is described in Example 2 herein.

Erucic Acid Content: The percentage of the fatty acids in the form ofC22:1.as determined by one of the methods recommended by the WCC/RRC,being AOCS Official Method Ce 2-66 Preparation of Methyl esters ofLong-Chain Fatty Acids or AOCS Official Method Ce 1-66 Fatty AcidComposition by Gas Chromatography.

Fatty Acid Content: The typical percentages by weight of fatty acidspresent in the endogenously formed oil of the mature whole dried seedsare determined. During such determination the seeds are crushed and areextracted as fatty acid methyl esters following reaction with methanoland sodium methoxide. Next the resulting ester is analyzed for fattyacid content by gas liquid chromatography using a capillary column whichallows separation on the basis of the degree of unsaturation and fattyacid chain length. This procedure is described in the work of Daun, etal., (1983) J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc. 60:1751 to 1754 which is hereinincorporated by reference.

Flower Bud Location. A determination is made whether typical buds aredisposed above or below the most recently opened flowers.

Flower Date 50%. (Same as Time to flowering) The number of days fromplanting until 50% of the plants in a planted area have at least oneopen flower.

Flower Petal Coloration. The coloration of open exposed petals on thefirst day of flowering is observed.

Frost Tolerance (Spring Type Only). The ability of young plants towithstand late spring frosts at a typical growing area is evaluated andis expressed on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

Gene Silencing. The interruption or suppression of the expression of agene at the level of transcription or translation.

Genotype. Refers to the genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Glucosinolate Content. The total glucosinolates of seed at 8.5%moisture, as measured by AOCS Official Method AK-1-92 (determination ofglucosinolates content in rapeseed—colza by HPLC), is expressed asmicromoles per gram of defatted, oil-free meal. Capillary gaschromatography of the trimethylsityl derivatives of extracted andpurified desulfoglucosinolates with optimization to obtain optimumindole glucosinolate detection is described in “Procedures of theWestern Canada Canola/Rapeseed Recommending Committee Incorporated forthe Evaluation and Recommendation for Registration of Canola/RapeseedCandidate Cultivars in Western Canada”. Also, glucosinolates could beanalyzed using NIR (Near Infra Red spectroscopy) as long as theinstrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Grain. Seed produced by the plant or a self or sib of the plant that isintended for food or feed use.

Green Seed. The number of seeds that are distinctly green throughout asdefined by the Canadian Grain Commission. Expressed as a percentage ofseeds tested.

Herbicide Resistance: Resistance to various herbicides when applied atstandard recommended application rates is expressed on a scale of 1(resistant), 2 (tolerant), or 3 (susceptible).

Leaf Anthocyanin Coloration. The presence or absence of leaf anthocyanincoloration, and the degree thereof if present, are observed when theplant has reached the 9- to 11-leaf stage.

Leaf Attachment to Stem. The presence or absence of clasping where theleaf attaches to the stem, and when present the degree thereof, areobserved.

Leaf Attitude. The disposition of typical leaves with respect to thepetiole is observed when at least 6 leaves of the plant are formed.

Leaf Color. The leaf blade coloration is observed when at least 6 leavesof the plant are completely developed.

Leaf Glaucosity. The presence or absence of a fine whitish powderycoating on the surface of the leaves, and the degree thereof whenpresent, are observed.

Leaf Length. The length of the leaf blades and petioles are observedwhen at least 6 leaves of the plant are completely developed.

Leaf Lobes. The fully developed upper stem leaves are observed for thepresence or absence of leaf lobes when at least 6 leaves of the plantare completely developed.

Leaf Margin Depth. A rating of the depth of the dentations along theupper third of the margin of the largest leaf. 1=very shallow, 9=verydeep.

Leaf Margin Hairiness. The leaf margins of the first leaf are observedfor the presence or absence of pubescence, and the degree thereof, whenthe plant is at the two leaf-stage.

Leaf Margin Type. A visual rating of the dentations along the upperthird of the margin of the largest leaf. 1=undulating, 2=rounded,3=sharp.

Leaf Surface. The leaf surface is observed for the presence or absenceof wrinkles when at least 6 leaves of the plant are completelydeveloped.

Leaf Tip Reflexion. The presence or absence of bending of typical leaftips and the degree thereof, if present, are observed at the 6 to 11leaf-stage.

Leaf Upper Side Hairiness. The upper surfaces of the leaves are observedfor the presence or absence of hairiness, and the degree thereof ifpresent, when at least 6 leaves of the plant are formed.

Leaf Width. The width of the leaf blades is observed when at least 6leaves of the plant are completely developed.

Length of Beak. The typical length of the silique beak when mature isobserved and is expressed on a scale of 1 (very short) to 9 (very long).

Locus. A defined segment of DNA.

Locus Conversion. A locus conversion refers to plants within a varietythat have been modified in a manner that retains the overall genetics ofthe variety and further comprises one or more loci with a specificdesired trait, such as male sterility, insect, disease or herbicideresistance. Examples of single locus conversions include mutant genes,transgenes and native traits finely mapped to a single locus. One ormore locus conversion traits may be introduced into a single canolavariety.

Maturity. The number of days from planting to maturity is observed, withmaturity being defined as the plant stage when pods with seed changecolor, occurring from green to brown or black, on the bottom third ofthe pod-bearing area of the main stem.

Number of Leaf Lobes. The frequency of leaf lobes, when present, isobserved when at least 6 leaves of the plant are completely developed.

Oil Content: The typical percentage by weight oil present in the maturewhole dried seeds is determined by ISO 10565:1993 Oilseeds Simultaneousdetermination of oil and water—Pulsed NMR method. Also, oil could beanalyzed using NIR (Near Infra Red spectroscopy) as long as theinstrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer's specifications,reference AOCS Procedure Am 1-92 Determination of Oil, Moisture andVolatile Matter, and Protein by Near-Infrared Reflectance.

Pedicel Length. The typical length of the silique stem when mature isobserved and is expressed on a scale of 1 (very short) to 9 (very long).

Petal Length. The lengths of typical petals of fully opened flowers areobserved.

Petal Width. The widths of typical petals of fully opened flowers areobserved.

Petiole Length. The length of the petioles is observed, in a lineforming lobed leaves, when at least 6 leaves of the plant are completelydeveloped.

Plant Height. The overall plant height at the end of flowering isobserved.

Ploidy. This refers to the number of chromosomes exhibited by the line,for example diploid or tetraploid.

Pod Anthocyanin Coloration. The presence or absence at maturity ofsilique anthocyanin coloration, and the degree thereof if present, areobserved.

Pod Habit. The typical manner in which the siliques are borne on theplant at maturity is observed.

Pod Length. The typical silique length is observed and is expressed on ascale of 1 (very short) to 9 (very long).

Pod Attitude. A visual rating of the angle joining the pedicel to thepod at maturity. 1=erect, 3=semi-erect, 5=horizontal, 7=semi-droopingand 9=drooping.

Pod Type. The overall configuration of the silique is observed.

Pod Width. The typical pod width when mature is observed and isexpressed on a scale of 1 (very narrow) to 9 (very wide).

Pollen Formation. The relative level of pollen formation is observed atthe time of dehiscence.

Protein Content: The typical percentage by weight of protein in the oilfree meal of the mature whole dried seeds is determined by AOCS OfficialMethod Ba 4e-93 Combustion Method for the Determination of CrudeProtein. Also, protein could be analyzed using NIR (Near Infra Redspectroscopy) as long as the instrument is calibrated according to themanufacturer's specifications, reference AOCS Procedure Am 1-92Determination of Oil, Moisture and Volatile Matter, and Protein byNear-Infrared Reflectance.

Resistance. The ability of a plant to withstand exposure to an insect,disease, herbicide or other condition. A resistant plant variety orhybrid will have a level of resistance higher than a comparablewild-type variety or hybrid. “Tolerance” is a term commonly used incrops affected by Sclerotinia, such as canola, soybean, and sunflower,and is used to describe an improved level of field resistance.

Resistant to Lodging. Resistance to lodging at maturity is expressed ona scale of 1 (weak) to 9 (strong).

Resistance to Shattering. Resistance to silique shattering is observedat seed maturity and is expressed on a scale of 1 (poor) to 9(excellent).

Root Anthocyanin Coloration. The presence or absence of anthocyanincoloration in the skin at the top of the root is observed when the planthas reached at least the six-leaf stage.

Root Anthocyanin Expression. When anthocyanin coloration is present inskin at the top of the root, it further is observed for the exhibitionof a reddish or bluish cast within such coloration when the plant hasreached at least the six-leaf stage.

Root Anthocyanin Streaking. When anthocyanin coloration is present inthe skin at the top of the root, it further is observed for the presenceor absence of streaking within such coloration when the plant hasreached at least the six-leaf stage.

Root Chlorophyll Coloration. The presence or absence of chlorophyllcoloration in the skin at the top of the root is observed when the planthas reached at least the six-leaf stage.

Root Coloration Below Ground. The coloration of the root skin belowground is observed when the plant has reached at least the six-leafstage.

Root Depth in Soil. The typical root depth is observed when the planthas reached at least the six-leaf stage.

Root Flesh Coloration. The internal coloration of the root flesh isobserved when the plant has reached at least the six-leaf stage.

Seedling Growth Habit. The growth habit of young seedlings is observedfor the presence of a weak (1) or strong (9) rosette character and isexpressed on a scale of 1 to 9.

Seeds Per Pod. The average number of seeds per pod is observed.

Seed Coat Color. The seed coat color of typical mature seeds isobserved.

Seed Coat Mucilage. The presence or absence of mucilage on the seed coatis determined and is expressed on a scale of 1 (absent) to 9 (heavy).During such determination a petri dish is filled to a depth of 0.3 cm.with tap water provided at room temperature. Seeds are added to thepetri dish and are immersed in water where they are allowed to stand forfive minutes. The contents of the petri dish containing the immersedseeds next is examined under a stereo microscope equipped withtransmitted light. The presence of mucilage and the level thereof isobserved as the intensity of a halo surrounding each seed.

Seed Size. The weight in grams of 1,000 typical seeds is determined atmaturity while such seeds exhibit a moisture content of approximately 5to 6 percent by weight.

Speed of Root Formation. The typical speed of root formation is observedwhen the plant has reached the 4- to 11-leaf stage.

Stem Anthocyanin Coloration. The presence or absence of leaf anthocyanincoloration and the intensity thereof, if present, are observed when theplant has reached the 9- to 11-leaf stage.

Stem Lodging at Maturity. A visual rating of a plant's ability to resiststem lodging at maturity. 1=very weak (lodged), 9=very strong (erect).

Time to Flowering. A determination is made of the number of days when atleast 50 percent of the plants have one or more open buds on a terminalraceme in the year of sowing.

Seasonal Type. This refers to whether the new line is considered to beprimarily a Spring or Winter type of canola.

Winter Survival (Winter Type Only). The ability to withstand wintertemperatures at a typical growing area is evaluated and is expressed ona scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

45S52 is a fully restored spring Brassica napus hybrid with theglyphosate tolerance gene, based on OGU INRA system. It was developed atGeorgetown Research Centre of Pioneer Hi-Bred Production LP (subsidiaryof Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.). It is a single cross hybridproduced by crossing a female parent (male sterile inbred-Aline×maintainer inbred-B line) carrying the glyphosate tolerance gene bya restorer—R male line, where A and B lines are genetically alike exceptA line carries the OGU INRA cytoplasm, while B line carries the normalB. napus cytoplasm.

The maintainer line-B line was developed using pedigree selection from abi-parental cross where one parent contributed glyphosate resistancewhile the other parent contributed sclerotinia tolerance. The lastcrossing was completed in 2003. The F1s were grown in the greenhouse toproduce F2 seed. The F2 was planted and evaluated in 2008 breedingnursery. The remnant F2 was planted in the greenhouse and the F2 singleplants were screened for blackleg tolerance and glyphosate tolerance andsclerotinia tolerance in the greenhouse. The F3s were also planted inthe GH and were screened for glyphosate tolerance. The F4 progenies wereevaluated in Ontario evaluation nursery and sclerotinia nursery. Basedon the selection in the evaluation nursery for glyphosate tolerance,early maturity, lodging resistance, high oil and protein, general vigorand uniformity and selection in the sclerotinia nursery, a line wasselected and F5 seed was assigned new number. Backcrossing was carriedout in the greenhouse to transfer the OGU INRA cytoplasm starting at F6generation. Breeder Seed for the A line was bulked at BC6.

The Restorer line—R—was developed from BC1 using pedigree selection. Thefirst backcross was completed in 2004. The BC1 and BC1 S1 and BC1 S2plants were grown in successive three generations in GH and werescreened for blackleg and/or sclerotinia. The BC1 S3s were thenevaluated in Ontario evaluation nursery and Sclerotinia nursery. TheBC1S4 were sent to Chile for generation advancement. The BC1S5s wereagain evaluated in Ontario restorer nursery and Sclerotinia nursery.During both years of Ontario nursery evaluation, the lines were selectedfor general vigor, uniformity, days to maturity, oil %, and protein %,glucosinolates, total saturates, etc. In the Sclerotinia nurseries, thelines were selected for sclerotinia tolerance. The BC1S5 based testcrosshybrids were evaluated at six locations and one of them was assignedpermanent code. The Breeder Seed of the male line was bulked at BC1S7.

Varietal Characteristics (See also Tables 1, 2, 3, ) Seed Yield:Nineteen percent higher than WCC/RRC checks. Disease Classified asModerately Resistant to blackleg Reaction: (Leptospaera maculans)according to WCC/RRC guidelines (Table 3). Based on Pioneer Hi-Bredtrials, 45S52 is also resistant (R) to Fusarium wilt. 45S52 hassubstantially improved tolerance to white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorumLib) compared to a susceptible check 45H26. (See Example 4.) PlantHeight: Approximately 5 cm taller than WCC/RRC checks Maturity: Slightlyearlier maturing than WCC/RRC checks. Lodging: Similar to mean of checksHerbicide Tolerant to glyphosate herbicides; field test confirms thattolerance: 45S52 tolerates the recommended rate of glyphosate (1.5L/ha)without showing plant injury or any significant negative effect onyield, agronomic and quality traits (Table 2). Variants: This varietyexhibits less than 1500/10,000 (<15% glyphosate - susceptible plants).Seed Characteristics: Seed color: Dark brown Grain size: 1000 seedweight is slightly greater than mean of the checks Seed oil 2.0% higherthan mean of the checks. content: Seed protein 2.9% lower than mean ofthe checks. content: Erucic acid: Less than 0.5% (maximum allowablelimit). Total saturates: 0.05% higher than mean of the checks Total 4.0umol/g lower than mean of the checks glucosinolates: Chlororphyll: 8 ppmlower than mean of the checks. Summary: 45S52 (08N775R) is a mediummaturing, high yielding glyphosate resistant Brassica napus canolahybrid having moderatly resistant “MR” rating for blackleg and resistant“R” rating for Fusarium wilt. It has a very high oil contents which is2.0% higher than mean of the checks. Its protein and chlorophyllcontents are lower than the checks. Inbred Pioneer Hi-Bred Production LPmaintenance: Canadian Pioneer Hi-Bred Production LP. distributor:Status: It has completed two years in Western Canadian trials (2008:1^(st) year and 2009:2^(nd) year). This hybrid met all the minimumstandards except for the protein. WCC/RRC set aside the proteinrequirements and supported this hybrid for registration.

A canola hybrid needs to be homogenous and reproducible to be useful forthe production of a commercial crop on a reliable basis. There are anumber of analytical methods available to determine the phenotypicstability of a canola hybrid.

The oldest and most traditional method of analysis is the observation ofphenotypic traits. The data are usually collected in field experimentsover the life of the canola plants to be examined. Phenotypiccharacteristics most often are observed for traits associated with seedyield, seed oil content, seed protein content, fatty acid composition ofoil, glucosinolate content of meal, growth habit, lodging resistance,plant height, shattering resistance, etc.

In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can alsobe examined. A plant's genotype can be used to identify plants of thesame variety or a related variety. For example, the genotype can be usedto determine the pedigree of a plant. There are many laboratory-basedtechniques available for the analysis, comparison and characterizationof plant genotype; among these are Isozyme Electrophoresis, RestrictionFragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified PolymorphicDNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNAAmplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized AmplifiedRegions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), SimpleSequence Repeats (SSRs) which are also referred to as Microsatellites,and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).

The variety of the present invention has shown uniformity and stabilityfor all traits, as described in the following variety descriptioninformation. The variety has been increased with continued observationfor uniformity.

45S52 is a high-yielding, glyphosate resistant Brassica napus canolahybrid having an “MR” resistance rating for blackleg. Its oil content isslightly higher than the mean of checks and protein is slightly lowerthan the WCC/RRC checks 46A65 and AWPQ2. Its seed size is a bit largerand has higher chlorophyll than the checks.

Table 1 provides data on morphological, agronomic, and quality traitsfor 45S52 and publicly-available canola variety 45S51. When preparingthe detailed phenotypic information that follows, plants of the new45S52 variety were observed while being grown using conventionalagronomic practices. For comparative purposes, canola plants ofpublicly-available canola variety, 45S51, were similarly grown in areplicated experiment.

Observations were recorded on various morphological traits for thehybrid 45S52 and comparative check cultivars.

TABLE 1 VARIETY DESCRIPTIONS BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL, AGRONOMIC ANDQUALITY TRAITS Trait 45S52 45S51 Code Trait Mean Description MeanDescription 1.2 Seasonal Type 1 Spring 1 Spring 2.1 Cot width (1-9) 5.00Medium 5 Medium 2.3 Stem 2 Weak 2 Weak anthocyanin 1 = absent or veryweak 3 = weak 5 = med 7 = strong 9 = very strong 2.6 Leaf length 6Medium-long 5 Medium 3 = short 5 = med 7 = long 2.7 Leaf width 7 Wide 6Medium 3 = narrow to wide 5 = med 7 = wide 2.8 Leaf colour 2.0 Medium2.0 Medium (1 = lgt. grn 4 = blue. grn)  2.12 Lobe 3.00 Present 3.00Present development (1 = absent (entire) - 2 = present (lobed))  2.13Number of 2.00 Few 2.00 Few lobes (1 = v. few - 9 = v. many)  2.15Petiole length 5 Medium 6 Medium to 3 = short long 5 = med 7 = long 2.16 Margin type 3.0 Sharp 2.5 Rounded- (1 = undulating - Sharp 3 =sharp)  2.17 Indentation of 3 Shallow 4.0 Shallow to margin medium 3.1Flower date 53.4 Medium 52.6 Medium 50% 3.2 Plant height at 7 Tall 6Medium-tall maturity (1 = v. short - 9 = v. tall) 3.5 Petal colour 3.00Medium 3.00 Medium (1 = white - yellow yellow 4 = orange, 5 = other 3.6Petal length 6 Medium to 6 Medium to 3 = short long long 5 = med 7 =long 3.7 Petal width 5 Medium 5 Medium 3 = narrow 5 = med 7 = wide  3.11Anther fertility 9.00 Shedding 9.00 Shedding (1 = sterile, pollen pollen9 = all anthers shedding pollen)  3.12 Silique length 5 Medium 5 Medium(1 = v. short - 9 = v. long)  3.13 Silique width 7.00 Medium to 7 Medium(1 = v. narrow - wide to wide 9 = v. wide)  3.14 Silique attitude 3.0Semi-erect 2.0 Semi-erect (1 = erect - 9 = drooping)  3.15 Beak length 6Medium-long 5 Medium (3 = short - 7 = long)  3.16 Pedicel length 5Medium 6 Medium (3 = short - to long 7 = long)  3.17 Maturity (days 108107 from planting) 4.1 Seed coat 1.50 Black to 1.50 Black to colour (1 =blk, brown brown 2 = bm, 3 = tan, 4 = yellow, 5 = mixed, 6 = other) 4.3Seed weight 3.9 Heavy 3.7 Heavy (grams per 1000 seeds) 5.1 Resistance to6.5 Fair to good 6.3 Fair to good shattering (1 = not tested, 3 = poor,5 = fair, 7 = good, 9 = does not shatter) 5.2 Resistance to 6.7 Fair togood 6.3 Fair to good lodging (1 = not tested, 3 = poor, 5 = fair, 7 =good, 9 = excellent) 6.3 Blackleg 3.2 Moderately 2.7 Moderatelyresistance resistant resistant (0 = not tested, 1 = resistant, 9 =highly susceptible) 8.1 Oil percentage 50.2 49.7 (whole dry seed)  8.2.6 Percentage of 0.03 Very low 0.03 Very low total fatty acids -erucic (C22:1) 8.3 Glyphosate 1.00 Resistant 1.00 Resistant (0 = nottested, 1 = resistant, 5 = tolerant, 9 = susceptible) 8.5 Protein 4243.6 percentage (whole dry seed) 8.7 Glucosinolates 2 Low 2 Low (μmoletotal aliphatic glucs/g whole seed) 1 = very low (<10), 2 = low (10-15),3 = med (15-20), 4 = high (>20) 8.8 Chlorophyll 2 Medium 2 Mediumcontent (ppm) 1 = Low (<8), 2 = med (8-15), 3 = high (>15)

Hybrid 45S52 can be advantageously used in accordance with the breedingmethods described herein and those known in the art to produce hybridsand other progeny plants retaining desired trait combinations of 45S52.This invention is thus also directed to methods for producing a canolaplant by crossing a first parent canola plant with a second parentcanola plant wherein either the first or second parent canola plant iscanola variety 45S52. Further, both first and second parent canolaplants can come from the canola variety 45S52. Either the first or thesecond parent plant may be male sterile.

Still further, this invention also is directed to methods for producinga 45S52-derived canola plant by crossing canola variety 45S52 with asecond canola plant and growing the progeny seed, and repeating thecrossing and growing steps with the canola 45S52-derived plant from 1 to2 times, 1 to 3 times, 1 to 4 times, or 1 to 5 times. Thus, any suchmethods using the canola variety 45S52 are part of this invention: openpollination, selfing, backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses topopulations, and the like. All plants produced using canola variety45S52 as a parent are within the scope of this invention, includingplants derived from canola variety 45S52. This includes canola linesderived from 45S52 which include components for either male sterility orfor restoration of fertility. Advantageously, the canola variety is usedin crosses with other, different, canola plants to produce firstgeneration (F₁) canola hybrid seeds and plants with superiorcharacteristics.

The invention also includes a single-gene conversion of 45S52. Asingle-gene conversion occurs when DNA sequences are introduced throughtraditional (non-transformation) breeding techniques, such asbackcrossing. DNA sequences, whether naturally occurring or transgenes,may be introduced using these traditional breeding techniques. Desiredtraits transferred through this process include, but are not limited to,fertility restoration, fatty acid profile modification, othernutritional enhancements, industrial enhancements, disease resistance,insect resistance, herbicide resistance and yield enhancements. Thetrait of interest is transferred from the donor parent to the recurrentparent, in this case, the canola plant disclosed herein. Single-genetraits may result from the transfer of either a dominant allele or arecessive allele. Selection of progeny containing the trait of interestis done by direct selection for a trait associated with a dominantallele. Selection of progeny for a trait that is transferred via arecessive allele will require growing and selfing the first backcross todetermine which plants carry the recessive alleles. Recessive traits mayrequire additional progeny testing in successive backcross generationsto determine the presence of the gene of interest.

It should be understood that the canola variety of the invention can,through routine manipulation by cytoplasmic genes, nuclear genes, orother factors, be produced in a male-sterile or restorer form asdescribed in the references discussed earlier. Such embodiments are alsowithin the scope of the present claims. Canola variety 45S52 can bemanipulated to be male sterile by any of a number of methods known inthe art, including by the use of mechanical methods, chemical methods,SI, CMS (either ogura or another system) or NMS. The term “manipulatedto be male sterile” refers to the use of any available techniques toproduce a male sterile version of canola variety 45S52. The malesterility may be either partial or complete male sterility. Thisinvention is also directed to F1 hybrid seed and plants produced by theuse of Canola variety 45S52. Canola variety 45S52 can also furthercomprise a component for fertility restoration of a male sterile plant,such as an Rf restorer gene. In this case, canola variety 45S52 couldthen be used as the male plant in hybrid seed production.

This invention is also directed to the use of 45S52 in tissue culture.As used herein, the term plant includes plant protoplasts, plant celltissue cultures from which canola plants can be regenerated, plantcalli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or partsof plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, seeds, flowers, kernels,ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers, silk andthe like. Pauls, et al., (2006) (Canadian J of Botany 84(4):668-678)confirmed that tissue culture as well as microspore culture forregeneration of canola plants can be accomplished successfully. Chuong,et al., (1985) “A Simple Culture Method for Brassica HypocotylProtoplasts”, Plant Cell Reports 4:4-6; Barsby, et al., (Spring 1996) “ARapid and Efficient Alternative Procedure for the Regeneration of Plantsfrom Hypocotyl Protoplasts of Brassica napus”, Plant Cell Reports;Kartha, et al., (1974) “In vitro Plant Formation from Stem Explants ofRape”, Physiol. Plant 31:217-220; Narasimhulu, et al., (Spring 1988)“Species Specific Shoot Regeneration Response of Cotyledonary Explantsof Brassicas”, Plant Cell Reports; Swanson, (1990) “Microspore Culturein Brassica”, Methods in Molecular Biology 6(17):159; “Cell Culturetechniques and Canola improvement” J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 66(4):455-56(1989). Thus, it is clear from the literature that the state of the artis such that these methods of obtaining plants are, and were,“conventional” in the sense that they are routinely used and have a veryhigh rate of success.

The utility of canola variety 45S52 also extends to crosses with otherspecies. Commonly, suitable species will be of the family Brassicae.

The advent of new molecular biological techniques has allowed theisolation and characterization of genetic elements with specificfunctions, such as encoding specific protein products. Scientists in thefield of plant biology developed a strong interest in engineering thegenome of plants to contain and express foreign genetic elements, oradditional, or modified versions of native or endogenous geneticelements in order to alter the traits of a plant in a specific manner.Any DNA sequences, whether from a different species, or from the samespecies that are inserted into the genome using transformation arereferred to herein collectively as “transgenes”. Over the last fifteento twenty years several methods for producing transgenic plants havebeen developed, and the present invention, in particular embodiments,also relates to transformed versions of the claimed canola variety45S52.

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed, includingbiological and physical plant transformation protocols. See, forexample, Miki, et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA intoPlants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick,and Genetic Transformation for the improvement of Canola World Conf,Biotechnol. Fats and Oils Ind. 43-46 (1988). In addition, expressionvectors and in vitro culture methods for plant cell or tissuetransformation and regeneration of plants are available. See, forexample, Gruber, et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” in Methodsin Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick and Thompson, Eds.(CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 89-119.

The most prevalent types of plant transformation involve theconstruction of an expression vector. Such a vector comprises a DNAsequence that contains a gene under the control of or operatively linkedto a regulatory element, for example a promoter. The vector may containone or more genes and one or more regulatory elements.

A genetic trait which has been engineered into a particular canola plantusing transformation techniques, could be moved into another line usingtraditional breeding techniques that are well known in the plantbreeding arts. For example, a backcrossing approach could be used tomove a transgene from a transformed canola plant to an elite inbred lineand the resulting progeny would comprise a transgene. Also, if an inbredline was used for the transformation then the transgenic plants could becrossed to a different line in order to produce a transgenic hybridcanola plant. As used herein, “crossing” can refer to a simple X by Ycross, or the process of backcrossing, depending on the context. Variousgenetic elements can be introduced into the plant genome usingtransformation. These elements include but are not limited to genes;coding sequences; inducible, constitutive, and tissue specificpromoters; enhancing sequences; and signal and targeting sequences. See,U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,101 which is herein incorporated by reference.

With transgenic plants according to the present invention, a foreignprotein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus, techniques forthe selection and propagation of transformed plants, which are wellunderstood in the art, yield a plurality of transgenic plants which areharvested in a conventional manner, and a foreign protein then can beextracted from a tissue of interest or from total biomass. Proteinextraction from plant biomass can be accomplished by known methods whichare discussed, for example, by Heney and Orr, (1981) Anal. Biochem.114:92-96.

A genetic map can be generated, primarily via conventional RestrictionFragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)analysis, and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR), which identifies theapproximate chromosomal location of the integrated DNA molecule codingfor the foreign protein. For exemplary methodologies in this regard,see, Glick and Thompson, METHODS IN PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY ANDBIOTECHNOLOGY 269-284 (CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993). Map informationconcerning chromosomal location is useful for proprietary protection ofa subject transgenic plant. If unauthorized propagation is undertakenand crosses made with other germplasm, the map of the integration regioncan be compared to similar maps for suspect plants, to determine if thelatter have a common parentage with the subject plant. Map comparisonswould involve hybridizations, RFLP, PCR, SSR and sequencing, all ofwhich are conventional techniques.

Likewise, by means of the present invention, plants can be geneticallyengineered to express various phenotypes of agronomic interest.Exemplary transgenes implicated in this regard include, but are notlimited to, those categorized below.

1. Genes that Confer Resistance to Pests or Disease and that Encode:

(A) Plant disease resistance genes. Plant defenses are often activatedby specific interaction between the product of a disease resistance gene(R) in the plant and the product of a corresponding avirulence (Avr)gene in the pathogen. A plant variety can be transformed with clonedresistance gene to engineer plants that are resistant to specificpathogen strains. See, for example Jones, et al., (1994) Science 266:789(cloning of the tomato Cf-9 gene for resistance to Cladosporium fulvum);Martin, et al., (1993) Science 262:1432 (tomato Pto gene for resistanceto Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato encodes a protein kinase); Mindrinos,et al., (1994) Cell 78:1089 (Arabidopsis RSP2 gene for resistance toPseudomonas syringae); McDowell and Woffenden, (2003) Trends Biotechnol.21(4):178-83 and Toyoda, et al., (2002) Transgenic Res. 11(6):567-82. Aplant resistant to a disease is one that is more resistant to a pathogenas compared to the wild type plant.

(B) A gene conferring resistance to fungal pathogens, such as oxalateoxidase or oxalate decarboxylase (Zhou, et al., (1998) Pl. Physiol.117(1):33-41).

(C) A Bacillus thuringiensis protein, a derivative thereof or asynthetic polypeptide modeled thereon. See, for example, Geiser, et al.,(1986) Gene 48:109, who disclose the cloning and nucleotide sequence ofa Bt delta-endotoxin gene. Moreover, DNA molecules encodingdelta-endotoxin genes can be purchased from American Type CultureCollection (Manassas, Va.), for example, under ATCC Accession Numbers.40098, 67136, 31995 and 31998. Other examples of Bacillus thuringiensistransgenes being genetically engineered are given in the followingpatents and patent applications and hereby are incorporated by referencefor this purpose: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,960; 5,689,052; 5,880,275; WO91/114778; WO 99/31248; WO 01/12731; WO 99/24581; WO 97/40162 and U.S.application Ser. Nos. 10/032,717; 10/414,637; and 10/606,320.

(D) An insect-specific hormone or pheromone such as an ecdysteroid andjuvenile hormone, a variant thereof, a mimetic based thereon, or anantagonist or agonist thereof. See, for example, the disclosure byHammock, et al., (1990) Nature 344:458, of baculovirus expression ofcloned juvenile hormone esterase, an inactivator of juvenile hormone.

(E) An insect-specific peptide which, upon expression, disrupts thephysiology of the affected pest. For example, see the disclosures ofRegan, (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:9 (expression cloning yields DNA codingfor insect diuretic hormone receptor) and Pratt, et al., (1989) Biochem.Biophys. Res. Comm. 163:1243 (an allostatin is identified in Diplopterapuntata); Chattopadhyay, et al., (2004) Critical Reviews in Microbiology30(1):33-54 2004; Zjawiony, (2004) J Nat Prod 67(2):300-310; Carlini andGrossi-de-Sa, (2002) Toxicon 40(11):1515-1539; Ussuf, et al., (2001)Curr Sci. 80(7):847-853 and Vasconcelos and Oliveira, (2004) Toxicon44(4):385-403. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,317 to Tomalski, et al.,who disclose genes encoding insect-specific, paralytic neurotoxins.

(F) An enzyme responsible for a hyperaccumulation of a monterpene, asesquiterpene, a steroid, hydroxamic acid, a phenylpropanoid derivativeor another non-protein molecule with insecticidal activity.

(G) An enzyme involved in the modification, including thepost-translational modification, of a biologically active molecule; forexample, a glycolytic enzyme, a proteolytic enzyme, a lipolytic enzyme,a nuclease, a cyclase, a transaminase, an esterase, a hydrolase, aphosphatase, a kinase, a phosphorylase, a polymerase, an elastase, achitinase and a glucanase, whether natural or synthetic. See PCTApplication Number WO 93/02197 in the name of Scott, et al., whichdiscloses the nucleotide sequence of a callase gene. DNA molecules whichcontain chitinase-encoding sequences can be obtained, for example, fromthe ATCC under Accession Numbers 39637 and 67152. See also, Kramer, etal., (1993) Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 23:691, who teach thenucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding tobacco hookworm chitinase, andKawalleck et al., (1993) Plant Molec. Biol. 21:673, who provide thenucleotide sequence of the parsley ubi4-2 polyubiquitin gene, U.S.patent application Ser. Nos. 10/389,432, 10/692,367 and U.S. Pat. No.6,563,020.

(H) A molecule that stimulates signal transduction. For example, see thedisclosure by Botella, et al., (1994) Plant Molec. Biol. 24:757, ofnucleotide sequences for mung bean calmodulin cDNA clones, and Griess,et al., (1994) Plant Physiol. 104:1467, who provide the nucleotidesequence of a maize calmodulin cDNA clone.

(I) A hydrophobic moment peptide. See, PCT Application Number WO95/16776and U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,852 (disclosure of peptide derivatives ofTachyplesin which inhibit fungal plant pathogens) and PCT ApplicationNumber WO95/18855 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,914 (teaches syntheticantimicrobial peptides that confer disease resistance), the respectivecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for this purpose.

(J) A membrane permease, a channel former or a channel blocker. Forexample, see the disclosure by Jaynes, et al., (1993) Plant Sci. 89:43,of heterologous expression of a cecropin-beta lytic peptide analog torender transgenic tobacco plants resistant to Pseudomonas solanacearum.

(K) A viral-invasive protein or a complex toxin derived therefrom. Forexample, the accumulation of viral coat proteins in transformed plantcells imparts resistance to viral infection and/or disease developmenteffected by the virus from which the coat protein gene is derived, aswell as by related viruses. See Beachy, et al., (1990) Ann. Rev.Phytopathol. 28:451. Coat protein-mediated resistance has been conferredupon transformed plants against alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaicvirus, tobacco streak virus, potato virus X, potato virus Y, tobaccoetch virus, tobacco rattle virus and tobacco mosaic virus. Id.

(L) An insect-specific antibody or an immunotoxin derived therefrom.Thus, an antibody targeted to a critical metabolic function in theinsect gut would inactivate an affected enzyme, killing the insect. Cf.Taylor, et al., Abstract #497, SEVENTH INT'L SYMPOSIUM ON MOLECULARPLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1994) (enzymaticinactivation in transgenic tobacco via production of single-chainantibody fragments).

(M) A virus-specific antibody. See, for example, Tavladoraki, et al.,(1993) Nature 366:469, who show that transgenic plants expressingrecombinant antibody genes are protected from virus attack.

(N) A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a pathogenor a parasite. Thus, fungal endo alpha-1,4-D-polygalacturonasesfacilitate fungal colonization and plant nutrient release bysolubilizing plant cell wall homo-alpha-1,4-D-galacturonase. See, Lamb,et al., (1992) Bio/Technology 10:1436. The cloning and characterizationof a gene which encodes a bean endopolygalacturonase-inhibiting proteinis described by Toubart, et al., (1992) Plant J. 2:367.

(O) A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a plant. Forexample, Logemann, et al., (1992) Bio/Technology 10:305, have shown thattransgenic plants expressing the barley ribosome-inactivating gene havean increased resistance to fungal disease.

(P) Genes involved in the Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) Responseand/or the pathogenesis related genes. Briggs, (1995) Current Biology5(2):128-131, Pieterse and Van Loon, (2004) Curr. Opin. Plant Bio7(4):456-64 and Somssich, (2003) Cell 113(7):815-6.

(Q) Antifungal genes (Cornelissen and Melchers, (1993) Pl. Physiol.101:709-712 and Parijs, et al., (1991) Planta 183:258-264 and Bushnell,et al., (1998) Can. J. of Plant Path. 20(2):137-149. Also see, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/950,933.

(R) Detoxification genes, such as for fumonisin, beauvericin,moniliformin and zearalenone and their structurally related derivatives.For example, see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,931.

(S) Cystatin and cysteine proteinase inhibitors. See, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/947,979.

(T) Defensin genes. See, WO03/000863 and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/178,213.

(U) Genes that confer resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot, such as theBrassica equivalents of the Rps 1, Rps 1-a, Rps 1-b, Rps 1-c, Rps 1-d,Rps 1-e, Rps 1-k, Rps 2, Rps 3-a, Rps 3-b, Rps 3-c, Rps 4, Rps 5, Rps 6,Rps 7 and other Rps genes. See, for example, Shoemaker, et al, (1995)Phytophthora Root Rot Resistance Gene Mapping in Soybean, Plant GenomeIV Conference, San Diego, Calif.

2. Genes that Confer Resistance to a Herbicide, for Example:

(A) A herbicide that inhibits the growing point or meristem, such as animidazalinone or a sulfonylurea. Exemplary genes in this category codefor mutant ALS and AHAS enzyme as described, for example, by Lee, etal., (1988) EMBO J. 7:1241, and Miki, et al., (1990) Theor. Appl. Genet.80:449, respectively. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,011; 5,013,659;5,141,870; 5,767,361; 5,731,180; 5,304,732; 4,761,373; 5,331,107;5,928,937 and 5,378,824; and international publication WO 96/33270,which are incorporated herein by reference for this purpose.

(B) Glyphosate (resistance imparted by mutant5-enolpyruvl-3-phosphikimate synthase (EPSP) and aroA genes,respectively) and other phosphono compounds such as glufosinate(phosphinothricin acetyl transferase, PAT) and Streptomyceshygroscopicus phosphinothricin-acetyl transferase, bar, genes), andpyridinoxy or phenoxy propionic acids and cycloshexones (ACCaseinhibitor-encoding genes). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,835 toShah, et al., which discloses the nucleotide sequence of a form of EPSPwhich can confer glyphosate resistance. See also, U.S. Pat. No.7,405,074, and related applications, which disclose compositions andmeans for providing glyphosate resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,061 toBarry, et al., also describes genes encoding EPSPS enzymes. See also,U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,566,587; 6,338,961; 6,248,876 B1; 6,040,497; 5,804,425;5,633,435; 5,145,783; 4,971,908; 5,312,910; 5,188,642; 4,940,835;5,866,775; 6,225,114 B1; 6,130,366; 5,310,667; 4,535,060; 4,769,061;5,633,448; 5,510,471; Re. 36,449; RE 37,287 E; and 5,491,288; andinternational publications EP1173580; WO 01/66704; EP1173581 andEP1173582, which are incorporated herein by reference for this purpose.A DNA molecule encoding a mutant aroA gene can be obtained under ATCCAccession Number 39256, and the nucleotide sequence of the mutant geneis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,061 to Comai. European PatentApplication Number 0 333 033 to Kumada, et al., and U.S. Pat. No.4,975,374 to Goodman, et al., disclose nucleotide sequences of glutaminesynthetase genes which confer resistance to herbicides such asL-phosphinothricin. The nucleotide sequence of aphosphinothricin-acetyl-transferase gene is provided in EuropeanApplication Number 0 242 246 to Leemans, et al., De Greef, et al.,(1989) Bio/Technology 7:61, describe the production of transgenic plantsthat express chimeric bar genes coding for phosphinothricin acetyltransferase activity. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,969,213; 5,489,520;5,550,318; 5,874,265; 5,919,675; 5,561,236; 5,648,477; 5,646,024;6,177,616 B1 and 5,879,903, which are incorporated herein by referencefor this purpose. Exemplary of genes conferring resistance to phenoxypropionic acids and cycloshexones, such as sethoxydim and haloxyfop, arethe Acc1-S1, Acc1-S2 and Acc1-S3 genes described by Marshall, et al.,(1992) Theor. Appl. Genet. 83:435. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,642;5,352,605; 5,530,196; 5,633,435; 5,717,084; 5,728,925; 5,804,425 andCanadian Patent Number 1,313,830, which are incorporated herein byreference for this purpose.

(C) A herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis, such as a triazine (psbAand gs+ genes) and a benzonitrile (nitrilase gene). Przibilla, et al.,(1991) Plant Cell 3:169, describe the transformation of Chlamydomonaswith plasmids encoding mutant psbA genes. Nucleotide sequences fornitrilase genes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,648 to Stalker, andDNA molecules containing these genes are available under ATCC AccessionNumbers 53435, 67441 and 67442. Cloning and expression of DNA coding fora glutathione S-transferase is described by Hayes, et al., (1992)Biochem. J. 285:173.

(D) Acetohydroxy acid synthase, which has been found to make plants thatexpress this enzyme resistant to multiple types of herbicides, has beenintroduced into a variety of plants (see, e.g., Hattori, et al., (1995)Mol Gen Genet 246:419). Other genes that confer tolerance to herbicidesinclude: a gene encoding a chimeric protein of rat cytochrome P4507A1and yeast NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Shiota, et al., (1994)Plant Physiol 106:17), genes for glutathione reductase and superoxidedismutase (Aono, et al., (1995) Plant Cell Physiol 36:1687, and genesfor various phosphotransferases (Datta, et al., (1992) Plant Mol Biol20:619).

(E) Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox) is necessary for the productionof chlorophyll, which is necessary for all plant survival. The protoxenzyme serves as the target for a variety of herbicidal compounds. Theseherbicides also inhibit growth of all the different species of plantspresent, causing their total destruction. The development of plantscontaining altered protox activity which are resistant to theseherbicides are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,288,306 B1; 6,282,837 B1;and 5,767,373; and international publication WO 01/12825, which areincorporated herein by reference for this purpose.

3. Transgenes that Confer or Contribute to an Altered GrainCharacteristic, Such as:

(A) Altered fatty acids, for example, by

-   -   (1) Down-regulation of stearoyl-ACP desaturase to increase        stearic acid content of the plant. See, Knultzon, et al., (1992)        Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:2624 and WO99/64579 (Genes for        Desaturases to Alter Lipid Profiles in Corn),    -   (2) Elevating oleic acid via FAD-2 gene modification and/or        decreasing linolenic acid via FAD-3 gene modification (see, U.S.        Pat. Nos. 6,063,947; 6,323,392; 6,372,965 and WO 93/11245),    -   (3) Altering conjugated linolenic or linoleic acid content, such        as in WO 01/12800,    -   (4) Altering LEC1, AGP, Dek1, Superal1, mi1ps, various Ipa genes        such as Ipa1, Ipa3, hpt or hggt. For example, see WO 02/42424,        WO 98/22604, WO 03/011015, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,423,886, 6,197,561,        6,825,397, US Patent Application Publication Numbers        2003/0079247, 2003/0204870, WO02/057439, WO03/011015 and        Rivera-Madrid, et al., (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.        92:5620-5624.

(B) Altered phosphorus content, for example, by the

-   -   (1) Introduction of a phytase-encoding gene would enhance        breakdown of phytate, adding more free phosphate to the        transformed plant. For example, see, Van Hartingsveldt, et        al., (1993) Gene 127:87, for a disclosure of the nucleotide        sequence of an Aspergillus niger phytase gene.    -   (2) Up-regulation of a gene that reduces phytate content. In        maize, this, for example, could be accomplished, by cloning and        then re-introducing DNA associated with one or more of the        alleles, such as the LPA alleles, identified in maize mutants        characterized by low levels of phytic acid, such as in Raboy, et        al., (1990) Maydica 35:383 and/or by altering inositol kinase        activity as in WO 02/059324, US Patent Application Publication        Number 2003/0009011, WO 03/027243, US Patent Application        Publication Number 2003/0079247, WO 99/05298, U.S. Pat. Nos.        6,197,561, 6,291,224, 6,391,348, WO2002/059324, US Patent        Application Publication Number 2003/0079247, WO98/45448,        WO99/55882, WO01/04147.

(C) Altered carbohydrates effected, for example, by altering a gene foran enzyme that affects the branching pattern of starch, a gene alteringthioredoxin. (See, U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,648). See, Shiroza, et al.,(1988) J. Bacteriol 170:810 (nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus mutansfructosyltransferase gene), Steinmetz, et al., (1985) Mol. Gen. Genet.200:220 (nucleotide sequence of Bacillus subtilis levansucrase gene),Pen, et al., (1992) Bio/Technology 10:292 (production of transgenicplants that express Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase), Elliot, etal., (1993) Plant Molec Biol 21:515 (nucleotide sequences of tomatoinvertase genes), Søgaard, et al., (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268:22480(site-directed mutagenesis of barley alpha-amylase gene) and Fisher, etal., (1993) Plant Physiol 102:1045 (maize endosperm starch branchingenzyme II), WO 99/10498 (improved digestibility and/or starch extractionthrough modification of UDP-D-xylose 4-epimerase, Fragile 1 and 2, Ref1,HCHL, C4H), U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,529 (method of producing high oil seedby modification of starch levels (AGP)). The fatty acid modificationgenes mentioned above may also be used to affect starch content and/orcomposition through the interrelationship of the starch and oilpathways.

(D) Altered antioxidant content or composition, such as alteration oftocopherol or tocotrienols. For example, see, U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,683,US Patent Application Publication Number 2004/0034886 and WO 00/68393involving the manipulation of antioxidant levels through alteration of aphytl prenyl transferase (ppt), WO 03/082899 through alteration of ahomogentisate geranyl geranyl transferase (hggt).

(E) Altered essential seed amino acids. For example, see, U.S. Pat. No.6,127,600 (method of increasing accumulation of essential amino acids inseeds), U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,913 (binary methods of increasingaccumulation of essential amino acids in seeds), U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,389(high lysine), WO99/40209 (alteration of amino acid compositions inseeds), WO99/29882 (methods for altering amino acid content ofproteins), U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,016 (alteration of amino acidcompositions in seeds), WO98/20133 (proteins with enhanced levels ofessential amino acids), U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,802 (high methionine), U.S.Pat. No. 5,885,801 (high threonine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,445 (plantamino acid biosynthetic enzymes), U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,019 (increasedlysine and threonine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,274 (plant tryptophansynthase beta subunit), U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,403 (methionine metabolicenzymes), U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,599 (high sulfur), U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,414(increased methionine), WO98/56935 (plant amino acid biosyntheticenzymes), WO98/45458 (engineered seed protein having higher percentageof essential amino acids), WO98/42831 (increased lysine), U.S. Pat. No.5,633,436 (increasing sulfur amino acid content), U.S. Pat. No.5,559,223 (synthetic storage proteins with defined structure containingprogrammable levels of essential amino acids for improvement of thenutritional value of plants), WO96/01905 (increased threonine),WO95/15392 (increased lysine), US Patent Application Publication Number2003/0163838, US Patent Application Publication Number 2003/0150014, USPatent Application Publication Number 2004/0068767, U.S. Pat. No.6,803,498, WO01/79516, and WO00/09706 (Ces A: cellulose synthase), U.S.Pat. No. 6,194,638 (hemicellulose), U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,859 and USPatent Application Publication Number 2004/0025203 (UDPGdH), U.S. Pat.No. 6,194,638 (RGP).

4. Genes that Control Pollination, Hybrid Seed Production orMale-Sterility:

There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterilityavailable, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations withinthe genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar, et al., and chromosomal translocationsas described by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. Inaddition to these methods, Albertsen, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,068,describe a system of nuclear male sterility which includes: identifyinga gene which is critical to male fertility; silencing this native genewhich is critical to male fertility; removing the native promoter fromthe essential male fertility gene and replacing it with an induciblepromoter; inserting this genetically engineered gene back into theplant; and thus creating a plant that is male sterile because theinducible promoter is not “on” resulting in the male fertility gene notbeing transcribed. Fertility is restored by inducing, or turning “on”,the promoter, which in turn allows the gene that confers male fertilityto be transcribed.

(A) Introduction of a deacetylase gene under the control of atapetum-specific promoter and with the application of the chemicalN-Ac-PPT (WO 01/29237).

(B) Introduction of various stamen-specific promoters (WO 92/13956, WO92/13957).

(C) Introduction of the barnase and the barstar gene (Paul, et al.,(1992) Plant Mol. Biol. 19:611-622).

For additional examples of nuclear male and female sterility systems andgenes, see also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,859,341; 6,297,426; 5,478,369;5,824,524; 5,850,014 and 6,265,640; all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

Also see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,041 (invention relating to a method forthe preparation of a seed of a plant comprising crossing a male sterileplant and a second plant which is male fertile), U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,859(molecular methods of hybrid seed production) and U.S. Pat. No.6,037,523 (use of male tissue-preferred regulatory region in mediatingfertility), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for thispurpose.

5. Genes that Create a Site for Site Specific DNA Integration.

This includes the introduction of FRT sites that may be used in theFLP/FRT system and/or Lox sites that may be used in the Cre/Loxp system.For example, see, Lyznik, et al., (2003) “Site-Specific Recombinationfor Genetic Engineering in Plants”, Plant Cell Rep 21:925-932 and WO99/25821, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other systems thatmay be used include the Gin recombinase of phage Mu (Maeser, et al.,1991), the Pin recombinase of E. coli (Enomoto, et al., 1983), and theR/RS system of the pSR1 plasmid (Araki, et al., 1992).

6. Genes that affect abiotic stress resistance (including but notlimited to flowering, ear and seed development, enhancement of nitrogenutilization efficiency, altered nitrogen responsiveness, droughtresistance or tolerance, cold resistance or tolerance, and saltresistance or tolerance) and increased yield under stress.

For example, see, WO 00/73475 where water use efficiency is alteredthrough alteration of malate; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,892,009, 5,965,705,5,929,305, 5,891,859, 6,417,428, 6,664,446, 6,706,866, 6,717,034,6,801,104, WO2000060089, WO2001026459, WO2001035725, WO2001034726,WO2001035727, WO2001036444, WO2001036597, WO2001036598, WO2002015675,WO2002017430, WO2002077185, WO2002079403, WO2003013227, WO2003013228,WO2003014327, WO2004031349, WO2004076638, WO9809521 and WO9938977describing genes, including CBF genes and transcription factorseffective in mitigating the negative effects of freezing, high salinity,and drought on plants, as well as conferring other positive effects onplant phenotype; US Patent Application Publication Number 2004/0148654and WO01/36596 where abscisic acid is altered in plants resulting inimproved plant phenotype such as increased yield and/or increasedtolerance to abiotic stress; WO2000/006341, WO04/090143, U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 10/817,483 and 09/545,334 where cytokininexpression is modified resulting in plants with increased stresstolerance, such as drought tolerance, and/or increased yield. Also seeWO0202776, WO03052063, JP2002281975, U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,153, WO0164898,U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,275 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,547 (enhancement ofnitrogen utilization and altered nitrogen responsiveness). For ethylenealteration, see, US Patent Application Publication Numbers 2004/0128719,2003/0166197 and WO200032761. For plant transcription factors ortranscriptional regulators of abiotic stress, see e.g., US PatentApplication Publication Number 2004/0098764 or US Patent ApplicationPublication Number 2004/0078852.

Other genes and transcription factors that affect plant growth andagronomic traits such as yield, flowering, plant growth and/or plantstructure, can be introduced or introgressed into plants, see, e.g.,WO97/49811 (LHY), WO98/56918 (ESD4), WO97/10339 and U.S. Pat. No.6,573,430 (TFL), U.S. Pat. No. 6,713,663 (FT), WO96/14414 (CON),WO96/38560, WO01/21822 (VRN1), WO00/44918 (VRN2), WO99/49064 (GI),WO00/46358 (FRI), WO97/29123, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,794,560, 6,307,126 (GAI),WO99/09174 (D8 and Rht), and WO2004076638 and WO2004031349(transcription factors).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The seed of the 45S52 variety, the plant produced from such seed,various parts of the 45S52 hybrid canola plant or its progeny, a canolaplant produced from the crossing of the 45S52 variety, and the resultingseed, can be utilized in the production of an edible vegetable oil orother food products in accordance with known techniques. The remainingsolid meal component derived from seeds can be used as a nutritiouslivestock feed.

DEPOSITS

Applicant has made or will make a deposit of at least 2500 seeds ofcanola variety 45S52 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110 USA, with ATCC DepositNo. PTA-122482. The seeds deposited with the ATCC on Aug. 20, 2015 forPTA-122482 were taken from the seed stock maintained by Pioneer Hi-BredInternational, Inc., 7250 NW 62^(nd) Avenue, Johnston, Iowa 50131-1000since prior to the filing date of this application. Access to thesedeposits will be available during the pendency of the application to theCommissioner of Patents and Trademarks and persons determined by theCommissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. Upon allowance of anyclaims in the application, the Applicant will make available to thepublic, pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §1.808, sample(s) of the deposit of atleast 2500 seeds of parental canola varieties NS5902FR and NS6418MC withthe American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard,Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The deposits of seed of parental canolavarieties NS5902FR and NS6418MC will be maintained in the ATCCdepository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5years after the most recent request, or for the enforceable life of thepatent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomesnonviable during that period. Additionally, Applicant has or willsatisfy all the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §§1.801-1.809, includingproviding an indication of the viability of the sample upon deposit.Applicant has no authority to waive any restrictions imposed by law onthe transfer of biological material or its transportation in commerce.Applicant does not waive any infringement of their rights granted underthis patent or rights applicable to canola hybrid 45S52 or of parentalcanola varieties NS5902FR and NS6418MC under the Plant VarietyProtection Act (7 USC 2321 et seq.).

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of exemplification. However, itwill be apparent that changes and modifications such as single genemodifications and mutations, somaclonal variants, variant individualsselected from populations of the plants of the instant variety, and thelike, are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.All references disclosed herein whether to journal, patents, publishedapplications and the like are hereby incorporated in their entirety byreference.

Example 1 Herbicide Resistance

Appropriate field tests (in compliance with both CFIA-varietyregistration office and the herbicide provider) in two growing seasonshave shown that 45S52 tolerates the recommended rate (1.5 L/ha) ofRoundup® (glyphosate) herbicide without showing plant injury or anysignificant effect on yield, agronomic, or quality traits. This hybridexhibits less than 1500/10,000 (<15%) glyphosate-susceptible plants.

TABLE 2 Effect of Herbicide application on agronomic and quality traitsof 45S52 in herbicide tolerance trials in 2008 and 2009 % Stand YieldYield Reduct. Days to Height Days to % % Oil + Gluc's @ VarietyTreatment q/ha % WF (PCTSR) Flower (cm) Maturity Oil Prot. Prot. 8.5%Chlor 2008 Saskatoon, SK 45S52 2X 22.2 89.5 1 51.7 109.7 97.5 52.7 37.790.3 6.0 5.0 45S52 WF 24.8 0 52.0 100.7 96.7 53.2 39.2 92.4 7.0 4.0 CV %6.3 1385.6 1.1 7.5 1.5 1.3 2.3 0.9 9.9 39.9 LSD 2.3 0.5 0.8 11.7 2.1 1.52.0 1.8 2.0 6.0 (0.05) SE 0.85 0.21 0.28 4.10 0.71 0.52 0.69 0.62 0.712.12 2008, Ellerslie, AB 45S52 2X 29.0 101.8 3 54.0 100.0 104.0 48.546.9 95.4 11.0 15.0 45S52 WF 28.5 0 52.8 100.0 105.0 47.8 48.3 96.0 12.014.0 CV % 8.7 159.7 2.4 6.7 1.4 1.4 1.4 0.7 8.1 21.0 LSD 3.4 0.9 1.910.0 2.2 1.4 1.6 1.3 2.0 6.0 (0.05) SE 1.20 0.35 0.64 3.54 0.78 0.510.56 0.47 0.71 2.12 2008 Average 45S52 2X 25.6 95.9 2 52.9 104.9 100.850.6 42.3 92.8 8.0 10.0 45S52 WF 26.7 0 52.4 100.4 100.9 50.5 43.7 94.210.0 9.0 CV % 7.9 281.5 2.0 7.2 1.5 1.5 2.1 0.8 12.1 31.4 LSD 2.2 0.61.1 7.7 1.5 1.1 1.5 1.2 2.0 5.0 (0.05) SE/Loc .078/2 0.21/2 0.35/22.76/2 0.57/2 0.38/2 0.52/2 0.42/2 0.71/2 1.41/2 2009 Saskatoon, SK45S52 2X 11.4 95.0 0 47.3 121.2 113.3 48.4 42.9 91.3 12.6 16.2 45S52 WF12.0 0 47.0 115.0 105.8 49.8 42.6 92.4 12.6 16.2 CV % 7.1 1.9 7.0 1.01.5 2.1 0.7 7.1 19.1 LSD 2.4 1.3 11.7 2.1 1.5 1.8 1.3 1.9 3.8 (0.05) SE0.85 0.42 4.17 0.78 0.57 0.64 0.42 0.64 1.34 2009 Ellerslie, AB 45S52 2X21.5 106.4 3 58.5 81.3 116.0 48.5 47.6 96.1 16.1 9.0 45S52 WF 20.2 057.8 81.3 112.5 49.4 46.9 96.3 14.6 6.8 CV% 8.7 75.1 1.2 6.0 0.7 2.3 2.70.5 9.0 20.9 LSD 2.9 0.5 1.1 7.2 1.1 2.4 2.9 1.2 2.9 4.7 (0.05) SE 0.990.21 0.42 2.55 0.35 0.85 1.06 0.42 1.06 1.7 2009 Rosebank, MB 45S52 2X22.9 108.5 3 45.5 130.0 51.8 37.6 89.5 6.9 9.1 45S52 WF 21.1 0 45.0122.5 51.8 38.0 89.8 7.5 4.2 CV % 7.8 143.0 0.9 5.8 1.0 2.1 1.0 11.533.4 LSD 3.1 0.7 0.5 10.5 1.5 1.8 1.9 2.4 4.8 (0.05) SE 1.06 0.21 0.213.75 0.57 0.64 0.64 0.85 1.70 2009 Average 45S52 2X 18.6 105.1 2 50.4110.8 114.6 49.6 42.7 92.3 11.9 11.4 45S52 WF 17.7 0 49.9 106.2 109.150.4 42.5 92.8 11.6 9.1 CV % 11.5 186.9 1.5 6.6 0.9 1.8 2.3 1.0 11.934.2 LSD 2.2 0.4 0.6 6.2 1.9 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.8 3.5 (0.05) SE/Loc 0.78/30.14/3 0.21/3 2.19/3 0.71/2 0.42/3 0.42/3 0.42/3 0.64/3 1.27/3 2 YearAverage: 45S52 2X 21.4 100.4 2 51 108 108 50 43 93 11 11 45S52 WF 21.3 051 104 105 50 43 93 11 9 CV % LSD 2.4 0.6 1.1 8.9 1.6 1.4 1.6 1.4 2.43.6 (0.05) SE/Loc 1.24/5  0.3/5 0.55/5 4.54/5 0.84/4  0.7/5 0.83/50.71/5 1.21/5 1.83/5

Example 2 Black Leg Tolerance

Blackleg tolerance was rated on a scale of 0 to 5: a plant with zerorating is completely immune to disease while a plant with “5” rating isdead due to blackleg infection. At each site, four replicated experimentwere planted and twenty five plants per plot were rated for blacklegtolerance.

For each test entry, 25 plants were assessed from each of a minimum offour replicates of a naturally infected or artificially inoculated fieldtest. Plants in blackleg trials were rated at the 5.2 stage on theHarper and Berkenkamp scale and that evaluation of disease reaction wasbased on the extent of the infection throughout the stem. This wasevaluated by cutting open the stem at the site of the canker.

Tests were rated using a 0-5 scale, as follows:

0—no diseased tissue visible in the cross-section

1—Diseased tissue occupies up to 25% of cross-section

2—Diseased tissue occupies 26-50% of cross-section

3—Diseased tissue occupies 51-75% of cross-section

4—Diseased tissue occupies more than 75% of cross-section with little orno constriction of affected tissues

5—Diseased tissue occupies 100% of cross-section with significantconstriction of affected tissues; tissue dry and brittle; plant dead.

Canola variety “Westar” was included as an entry/control in eachblackleg trial. Tests are considered valid when the mean rating forWestar is greater than or equal to 2.6 and less than or equal to 4.5.(In years when there is poor disease development in Western Canada theWCC/RRC may accept the use of data from trials with a rating for Westarexceeding 2.0.)

The ratings are converted to a percentage severity index for each line,and the following scale is used to describe the level of resistance:

Classification Rating (% of Westar) R (Resistant) <30 MR (ModeratelyResistant) 30-49  MS (Moderately Susceptible) 50-69  S (Susceptible)70-100

TABLE 3 Summary of Blackleg Ratings for 45S52 45S52 AC Excel Defender Q2Westar 2008 1.2 1.6 1.0 1.9 3.5 Manitou MB 2008 1.2 2.0 2.2 2.6 4.3 P.Coulee MB 2009 1.4 2.0 1.2 2.4 4.1 B. Hills 2009 1.2 2.3 1.4 1.4 3.3Carman MB 2009 1.4 2.2 1.1 2.0 4.2 P. Coulee MB 2009 1.2 2.4 1.5 2.2 3.8Roland MB 2 yr. avg. 1.3 2.1 1.4 2.1 3.9 % Westar 33.3 53.7 36.2 54.0100 Class: MR

Example 3 Summary of Agronomic Performance of 45S52 in Two Years ofTesting

Two years (2008 and 2009) of trials were conducted at a total of 39locations. WCC/RRC guidelines were followed for conducting trials. Eachtrial had four replicates and had a plot size of 1.5 m×6 m. Yield andagronomic traits were recorded and seed samples were collected from twoof the four replicates at selected sites and were analyzed for qualitytraits such as oil and protein percent at 8.5% moisture, total wholeseed glucosinolates at 8.5%, chlorophyll, total saturated fatty acid,1000 seed weight etc. WCC/RRC guidelines were followed for analyzingquality parameters.

TABLE 4 Summary of Agronomic Performance Variety: 45S52 45A65 AWPQ2CHK-AVG Loc Test: 2008 Yield kg/ha 2637 2248 2310 2279 19 Yield % 115.798.6 101.4 100.0 19 Checks Days to 99.8 100.4 100.5 100.5 17 MaturityDays to 49.6 49.7 51.2 50.5 13 Flowering Early 6.8 5.3 5.7 5.5 15 Growth1 = Poor 9 = Good Lodging 7.3 6.8 7.3 7.1 7 Score 1 = Poor 9 = GoodPlant 114.6 108.8 110.4 109.6 13 Height (cm) Oil % 49.7 47.3 48 47.6 14Protein % 42.4 46.2 45.1 45.7 13 Oil + 92.1 93.5 93.1 93.3 14 Protein %Total Gluc 8.4 13.8 12.4 13.1 14 Chlorophyll 12.3 19.1 20.8 19.9 18(ppm) Total Sat. 6.9 6.8 6.9 6.8 14 Fat % Green Seed 0.9 1.3 1.9 1.6 13% 1000 Seed 3.4 3.1 3.2 3.1 13 Wt. Test: 2009 Yield kg/ha 3137 2592 25322562 20 Yield % 122.5 101.2 98.8 100 18 Checks Days to 110.0 110.3 111.3110.5 19 Maturity Days to 52.4 52.0 54.1 53.0 16 Flowering Early N/AGrowth 1 = Poor 9 = Good Lodging 4.6 3.9 4.9 4.4 7 Score 1 = Poor 9 =Good Plant 111.6 106.8 106.2 106.8 16 Height (cm) Oil % 48.5 46.8 46.246.5 14 Protein % 44.4 47.8 46.1 47.0 14 Oil + 92.8 94.6 92.3 93.5 14Protein % Total Gluc 8.9 12.9 11.8 12.1 14 Chlorophyll N/A (ppm) TotalSat. 6.8 6.6 6.7 6.7 14 Fat % Green Seed N/A % 1000 Seed N/A Wt.Variety: 45S52 45A65 AWPQ2 CHK-AVG Loc/Diff Test: Weighted Avg. Yieldkg/ha 2894 2424 2424 2424 39/470 Yield % 119.0 99.9 100.1 100.0 37/19 Checks Days to 105.2 105.6 106.2 105.8    36/−0.6  Maturity Days to 51.151.0 52.8 51.9    29/−0.8  Flowering Early 6.8 5.3 5.7 5.5  15/1.3 Growth 1 = Poor 9 = Good Lodging 6.0 5.4 6.1 5.8  14/0.2  Score 1 = Poor9 = Good Plant 112.9 107.7 108.1 108.0  29/4.9  Height (cm) Oil % 49.147.1 47.1 47.07  28/2.04 Protein % 43.4 47.0 45.6 46.3    27/−2.92 Oil +92.5 94.1 92.7 93.4    28/−0.89 Protein % Total Gluc 8.7 13.4 12.1 12.6   28/−4.0  Chlorophyll 12.3 19.1 20.8 19.9    18/−7.6  (ppm) Total Sat.6.84 6.67 6.83 6.79  28/0.05 Fat % Green Seed 0.9 1.3 1.9 1.6   10/−0.7  % 1000 Seed 3.4 3.1 3.2 3.1  13/0.3  Wt.

Example 4 Summary of Sclerotinia Resistance in 45S52

Two sets of replicated field experiments were carried out during 2008and 2009 seasons. Prior to physiological maturity, observations ondisease severity (Table 5) and frequency (incidence) of infected plantswere recorded. These two observations were combined into one Sclerotiniasclerotiorum Field Severity number using the formula of Bradley et al.(2004), where SSFS=((% disease incidence x disease severity)/5).

TABLE 5 Disease severity rating utilized in collecting field data onindividual plants Symptoms Disease Primary Secondary severity MainBranches Branches rating Stem (Off main stem) (Off primary) 5Prematurely ripened or dying plant 4 Girdled stem, plant More than twodead not ripened* or dying branches 3 Incomplete girdling Two dead ordying branches 2 Large non-girdling One dead or dying More than twolesion branch affected branches 1 Small non-girdling Girdling or lesionOne to two lesion affected branches 0 No symptoms *Individual and/orcombined symptoms quantified to produce disease severity rating

According to the SSFS calculation, a canola field with all plantsinfected (100% incidence) and a severity score of 1 will have SSFS=20.That is the same outcome as in another field where 20% of the plants areinfected (20% incidence), and each with a rating of 5 (SSFS=20). Yieldlosses at field level can be estimated to be approximately half of theSSFS score. At the moment, all commercial canola varieties sold inCanada are susceptible to Sclerotinia with the exception of 45S51. TheSSFS value can be a predictor of yield loss at field scale. Also, theSSFS allows straight comparison from one field to another as it isultimately translated as yield loss. With different degree of SSFS, itis possible to classify the cultivar into various groups such as highlysusceptible—HS, susceptible—S, Moderately susceptible—MS, ModeratelyResistant—MR, Resistant—R and Highly Resistant—HR. Similar grouping hasbeen done for other disease like blackleg as presented in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Possible classification of canola varieties for tolerance mostsevere possible Sclerotinia disease pressure SSFS Field performanceDisease Disease Field Yield loss Category Incidence Severity* severityEstimate Highly susceptible  80-100 5  80-100 40-50   Susceptible 70-795 70-79 35-39.5 Moderately susceptible 50-69 5 50-69 25-34.5 Moderatelyresistant 30-49 5 30-49 15-24.5 Resistant 10-29 5 10-29  5-14.5 Highlyresistant 0-9 5 0-9 0-4.5

Year 1: This experiment was conducted in 2008 at 12 locations where45S52 was planted using randomized complete block design with otherentries and two commercial checks 45H26 and 45S51. Five locations hadacceptable disease pressure (>10% SSFS on susceptible check). Thoselocations were Crystal City, Carman, Winkler and Rosebank in SouthernManitoba and Orangeville (5ST) in Ontario. There were five replicationsin each site. Prior to physiological maturity, disease incidence andseverity were recorded on each plot in each replicate (50 plants perplot). These averages were then transformed into SSFS. The SSFS valuesfrom this experiment for 45S52, 45H26 and 45S51 are presented in Table7.

During the 2008 trial, Sclerotinia disease incidence and severity weresatisfactory. Carman and Orangeville were under irrigation (5CR, 5ST)while other locations were not irrigated. Irrigation helps withconditions for disease development but can affect standability ofvarieties and impact the SSFS scores. 45S52 performed better than 45S51and it almost scored R relative to 45H26. 45S52 is improved forstandability and that can be a factor under irrigation vs. 45S51 atCarman for instance. If Carman was excluded, 45S51 performed very wellshowing the level of field tolerance to Sclerotinia relative to 45H26.Overall, 45S52 showed very consistent high level of field tolerance toSclerotinia in 2008.

Year 2: This experiment was conducted in 2009 where 45S52 and twocommercial hybrids with similar days to flowering & maturity weretested. Susceptible check 45H26 was tested with and without fungicideapplication (Lance® or Proline®). Six replications were planted at eachof 14 locations. Prior to physiological maturity, disease incidence andseverity were recorded on each plot in each replicate. These averageswere then transformed into SSFS. The SSFS values from this experimentfor 45S52, 45H26, 45H26 (fungicide treated) and 45S51 are presented inTable 4.

Sufficient disease pressure (>10% SSFS on susceptible check) wasattained at Winkler and Portage la Prairie in Southern Manitoba,Rockwood and Fergus in Ontario and Charlottetown in PEI. Winklerlocation was subject to excessive irrigation-caused lodging wheredisease spread from plan to plant via contact infection affectingperformance of varieties and fungicide.

Location Winkler was under irrigation that affected standability andperformance of 45S51 as well as fungicide treatment. On the other hand,lower pressure location like 5PEI does not differentiate varieties aswell as higher pressure locations without irrigation while fungicidetreatments tend to be very efficacious in such marginal environments.The level of field tolerance of 45S52 to Sclerotinia was on averagesimilar to fungicide-protected 45H26. 45S51 performed as expected withexceptions of low pressure and high lodging pressure at Winkler.

Looking at two year summary in Table 9, we can see that 45S52 issignificantly improved for its field tolerance to Sclerotinia,exhibiting stability across years and various environments diseasepressure-wise. A part of that improvement is improved standability whichwas obvious under irrigation in Carman (2008) and Winkler (2009).

45S52 was tested in large scale strip trials along 45H28 and 45S51commercial checks. Visual observations from five locations harboringsufficient levels of disease (10% SSFS on 45H28) in Manitoba (2), NorthDakota (1), Ontario (1) and Quebec (1) were consistent with small plotdata and showed significant reduction of disease development on 45S52.

TABLE 7 Slerotinia sclerotiorum Field Severity (SSFS) on 45S52, 45H26and 45S51 across five locations in 2008 SSFS % of Variety 5WK 5ST 3CC5CR 5RB mean susceptible Category 45S52 3.4 7.1 11.2 6.3 2.6 6.1 30 MR45S51 5.9 8.6 11.6 14.5 5.9 9.3 45 MR 45H26 12.8 18.7 28.6 20.9 21.620.5 100 S

TABLE 8 Slerotinia sclerotiorum Field Severity (SSFS) on 45S52, 45H26,45H26F (fungicide- treated) and 45S51 across five locations in 2009 % ofSSFS suscep- Variety 5PEI 5RW 5PP 5FG 5WK* mean tible Category 45S52 6.94.3 5.9 8.2 9 6.9 36 MR 45S51 10.1 4.5 9.9 12.6 23.6 12.1 64 MS 45H2610.3 14.6 16.3 24.5 29.7 19.1 100 S 45H26F 1.5 4.6 7 0.3 16.3 5.9 31 MR*Excessive irrigation causing lodging and direct/contact infection

TABLE 9 Summary of Slerotinia sclerotiorum Field Severity (SSFS)performance on 45S52, 45H26 and 45S51 across 10 locations in 2008 and2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2008 2009* 2009 2008 2009 2009Variety SSFS mean % of susceptible Category 45S52 6.1 6.9 6.5 30 36 33MR MR MR 45S51 9.3 12.1 10.7 45 64 54 MR MS MS 45H26 20.5 19.1 19.8 100100 100 S S S *Results affected by excessive irrigation causing lodgingand direct/contact infection at Winkler (MB)

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding. Asis readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the foregoing are onlysome of the methods and compositions that illustrate the embodiments ofthe foregoing invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that variations, changes, modifications and alterations maybe applied to the compositions and/or methods described herein withoutdeparting from the true spirit, concept and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plant, plant part, seed, or cell of canolavariety 45S52, wherein representative seed of canola variety 45S52 hasbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-122482.
 2. The seed ofclaim 1, further comprising a transgenic event.
 3. The seed of claim 2,wherein the transgenic event confers a trait selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, site-specific recombination, abioticstress tolerance, altered phosphorus, altered antioxidants, alteredfatty acids, altered essential amino acids, altered carbohydrates,herbicide resistance, insect resistance and disease resistance.
 4. Aconverted seed of canola variety 45S52 further comprising a locusconversion, wherein the converted seed produces a plant which hasotherwise essentially the same phenotypic characteristics of canolavariety 45S52 listed in Table 1 when grown under the same environmentalconditions, and wherein representative seed of canola variety 45S52 hasbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-122482.
 5. The seed ofclaim 4, wherein the locus conversion confers a trait selected from thegroup consisting of male sterility, site-specific recombination, abioticstress tolerance, altered phosphorus, altered antioxidants, alteredfatty acids, altered essential amino acids, altered carbohydrates,herbicide resistance, insect resistance and disease resistance.
 6. Amethod for producing a second canola plant comprising applying plantbreeding techniques to a first canola plant, or parts thereof, whereinsaid first canola plant is the canola plant of claim 1, and whereinapplication of said techniques results in the production of said secondcanola plant.
 7. The method of claim 6, further defined as producing aninbred canola plant derived from canola variety 45S52, the methodcomprising the steps of: (a) crossing said first canola plant withitself or another canola plant to produce seed of a subsequentgeneration; (b) harvesting and planting the seed of the subsequentgeneration to produce at least one plant of the subsequent generation;and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for an additional 2-10 generationsto produce an inbred canola plant derived from canola variety 45S52. 8.The method of claim 6, further defined as producing an inbred canolaplant derived from canola variety 45S52, the method comprising the stepsof: (a) crossing said first canola plant with an inducer variety toproduce haploid seed; and (b) doubling the haploid seed to produce aninbred canola plant derived from canola variety 45S52.
 9. The plant orplant part of claim 1, further comprising a transgenic event.
 10. Theplant of claim 9, wherein the transgenic event confers a trait selectedfrom the group consisting of selected from the group consisting of malesterility, site-specific recombination, abiotic stress tolerance,altered phosphorus, altered antioxidants, altered fatty acids, alteredessential amino acids, altered carbohydrates, herbicide resistance,insect resistance and disease resistance.
 11. A method for producing asecond canola plant comprising applying plant breeding techniques to afirst canola plant, or parts thereof, wherein said first canola plant isthe canola plant of claim 9, and wherein application of said techniquesresults in the production of said second canola plant.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, further defined as producing an inbred canola plant derivedfrom canola variety 45S52, the method comprising the steps of: (a)crossing said first canola plant with itself or another canola plant toproduce seed of a subsequent generation; (b) harvesting and planting theseed of the subsequent generation to produce at least one plant of thesubsequent generation; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for anadditional 2-10 generations to produce an inbred canola plant derivedfrom canola variety 45S52.
 13. The method of claim 11, further definedas producing an inbred canola plant derived from canola variety 45S52,the method comprising the steps of: (a) crossing said first canola plantwith an inducer variety to produce haploid seed; and (b) doubling thehaploid seed to produce an inbred canola plant derived from canolavariety 45S52.
 14. A converted plant or plant part wherein said plant orplant part is produced by growing the seed of claim 4, wherein theconverted plant or plant part has otherwise essentially the samephenotypic characteristics of canola variety 45S52 listed in Table 1when grown under the same environmental conditions.
 15. The plant orplant part of claim 14, wherein the locus conversion confers a traitselected from the group consisting of male sterility, site-specificrecombination, abiotic stress tolerance, altered phosphorus, alteredantioxidants, altered fatty acids, altered essential amino acids,altered carbohydrates, herbicide resistance, insect resistance anddisease resistance.
 16. A method for producing a second canola plantcomprising applying plant breeding techniques to a first canola plant,or parts thereof, wherein said first canola plant is the canola plant ofclaim 14, and wherein application of said techniques results in theproduction of said second canola plant.
 17. The method of claim 16,further defined as producing an inbred canola plant derived from canolavariety 45S52, the method comprising the steps of: (a) crossing saidfirst canola plant with itself or another canola plant to produce seedof a subsequent generation; (b) harvesting and planting the seed of thesubsequent generation to produce at least one plant of the subsequentgeneration; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for an additional 2-10generations to produce an inbred canola plant derived from canolavariety 45S52.
 18. The method of claim 16, further defined as producingan inbred canola plant derived from canola variety 45S52, the methodcomprising the steps of: (a) crossing said first canola plant with aninducer variety to produce haploid seed; and (b) doubling the haploidseed to produce an inbred canola plant derived from canola variety45S52.